Columbia River, Ridgefield reach 2A state volleyball semifinals

YAKIMA — Class 2A Greater St. Helens League rivals Columbia River and Ridgefield, who clashed in last year’s state title match, had little problem with their matches Friday.

Columbia River, the defending champ and No. 2 seed, made quick work of No. 15 Ephrata in the first round 25-15, 25-9, 25-12.

2A GSHL player of the year Lauren Dreves had 25 kills, many of those set up by Sophie Worden’s 34 assists.

River will play Burlington-Edison at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in the semifinals.

The Rapids then cruised past No. 7 seed Enumclaw in the quarterfinals 25-15, 25-14, 25-10. Lauren Dreves had 24 kills and 10 digs while sister Sydney Dreves had 11 kills, 13 digs and five aces. Worden had 35 assists.

No. 4 seed Ridgefield had a slightly tougher test in the quarterfinals from No. 5 seed Ellensburg. After dropping the second set 25-21, the Spudders found another gear, dominating the third and fourth sets 25-16 and 25-15.

Elizabeth Andrew had a team-high 16 kills, Natalie Andrew had 14 kills and Hailey McEllrath was a force at the net with seven blocks. Paige Stepaniuk had seven kills and 17 digs.

Ridgefield earlier dispatched of No. 13 Sedro-Woolley. After pulling away in the first set 25-13, the Spudders had to grind for wins of 25-20 and 25-23 in the following sets.

Elizabeth Andrew led Ridgefield with 19 kills and six aces. Natalie Andrew added 11 kills.

Ridgefield will play Pullman at 1:30 p.m. Saturday after Pullman knocked off top-seeded Lynden in the quarterfinals.

COLUMBIA RIVER 3, EPHRATA 0

25-15, 25-9, 25-12

Columbia River

Highlights – Sasha Pelkey 6 digs; Sophie Worden 1 kill, 1 ace, 34 assists; Sydney Dreves 3 kills, 4 digs, 1 block, 3 aces; Lauren Dreves 25 kills, 4 digs; Evelyn Wenger 1 kill, 1 dig, 1 ace; Logan DeJong 3 kill, 2 blocks; Taegen Benke 1 kill, 3 digs; Macey McCoy 5 kills, 2 digs, 1 block; Katelyn Kessler 1 kill.

RIDGEFIELD 3, SEDRO-WOOLLEY 0

25-13, 25-20, 25-22

Ridgefield

Highlights – Paige Stepniuk 4 kills, 9 digs; Elizabeth Andrew 19 kills, 6 aces, 4 blocks, 3 digs; Natalie Andrew 11 kills, 6 digs, 1 ace; Hailey McEllrath 2 kills, 5 blocks, 1 dig; Callie Curran 19 assists, 1 kill, 1 ace, 4 blocks, 2 digs; Allison Orantes 19 assists, 1 dig.

COLUMBIA RIVER 3, ENUMCLAW 0

25-15, 25-14, 25-10

Columbia River

Highlights – Lauren Dreves 24 kills, 10 digs, 1 ace; Sydney Dreves 11 kills, 13 digs, 5 aces; Sophie Worden 2 digs, 35 assists, 2 aces; Sasha Pelkey 5 digs, 1 ace; Taegen Benke 3 kills, 5 digs, 4 aces.

RIDGEFIELD 3, ELLENSBURG 1

25-19, 21-25, 25-16, 25-15

Ridgefield

Highlights – Callie Jensen 1 ace; Paige Stepaniuk 7 kills, 17 digs; Lillian House 1 dig, 2 aces; Hailey McEllrath 5 kills, 7 blocks; Hannah McAdams 1 kill, 1 dig; Callie Curran 1 kill, 9 digs, 1 ace, 15 assists; Elizabeth Andrew 16 kills, 8 digs; 4 blocks; 2 aces; Natalie Andrew 14 kills, 3 digs, 1 assists; Allison Orantes 3 digs, 1 ace, 18 assists; Tava Whitlow 2 digs.