Finishing the deal in fifth

After a difficult loss to Emerald Ridge in the state quarterfinals, the Camas High School volleyball team earned a better finish than last season when it defeated Tahoma for fifth place.

“The seniors will remember the feeling of this last match, and how the entire team came together for a great finish,” said senior outside hitter Lauren Harris.

“It was the perfect way to wrap up the season,” added senior middle blocker Sophi Jacobson. “We played with passion and with heart. It doesn’t get much better than that.”

Harris took her game to another level. She delivered 22 kills, 26 digs, 11 service points, 3 blocks and an ace in her final volleyball match in a Papermaker uniform.

It was also a great finale for the rest of the seniors. Christina Elliott anchored the attack with 53 assists, 12 service points, 11 digs, 4 kills and 4 aces. Carly Banks added 14 kills, Jacobson racked up 13 kills and Abby Young gained 27 digs.

“For the past four years, volleyball has been my life,” Jacobson said. “There were eight seniors on this team, and a lot of emotion going into this last match. We weren’t only playing for the win, but for the last point, last dig and the last pass. This really brought closure, the way we played out there.”

Erika Weber contributed 10 digs and 8 kills on a sprained ankle. Anna Roche owned the net with 5 kills and 4 blocks. Nicole Loewen notched 10 digs, 9 service points and 2 aces.

“Only four teams in the state get to finish off with a win. We are one of those,” said Camas head coach Julie Nidick. “It was a great way to bounce back and finish off a special season.”

Read more about this fifth-place finish for the Papermaker volleyball team in Tuesday’s print edition of the Post-Record.