The Columbia River volleyball team never settles.
That’s why the Rapids are reigning Class 2A state champions and now boast a winning streak of 31 matches.
No. 1-ranked Columbia River topped No. 7 Ridgefield 3-0 on Thursday in a rematch of last year’s championship match. Each set finished 25-19.
For the Rapids, the ongoing quest this season is to become the kind of well-rounded team that thrives in a state-tournament setting.
Behind junior Lauren Dreves, who committed to Auburn this summer, and sophomore sister Sydney Dreves, Columbia River has two of the area’s top outside hitters.
Thursday, Lauren Dreves led all players with 23 kills. Sydney Dreves added 11 kills.
But Columbia River (12-0, 11-0) has more going for it than just two reliable attackers. The Rapids were excellent defensively Thursday, collecting 42 digs.
“I feel like our defense has been on fire lately,” said senior defensive specialist Sasha Pelkey. “We’re really good at playing scrappy and covering for each other. If somebody gets a good dig, we’re always celebrating it.”
Senior setter Sophie Worden is responsible for putting her teammates in position to succeed, which she did often Thursday to the tune of 39 assists.
“We’ve come together a lot and started playing for each other,” Worden said. “Honestly we just love to compete. Every practice we come into the gym competing hard.”
Ridgefield (9-3, 9-2) was the last team to beat Columbia River, a 3-0 victory on Sept. 21, 2021. Natalie Andrew led the Spudders with 15 kills while Paige Stepaniuk had 13 kills.
But even good teams like Ridgefield have little margin for error against a team like Columbia River.
After all, the Rapids say they embrace the expectations that come with being the state’s top-ranked team.
“It puts a big target on our back, but that’s what fires us,” Pelkey said.
