Volleyball team shines at tournament

DAVENPORT - The Davenport High School volleyball team competed in the Pacific Northwest Summer Volleyball Classic in Centralia, Wash., from Friday, July 11 to Sunday, July 13.

The team, composed of nine players - four returning varsity, four returning junior varsity, and one incoming freshman - faced tough competition and emerged victorious in the Division 1 Silver bracket.

The tournament marked the first time this newly formed squad played together, with no prior joint practice sessions. On the opening day, the team went 0-3 in pool play, competing against two 6A Oregon high schools and one 4A Washington school.

"We were up against strong programs, and for a team that had never practiced together, the girls played fantastically," Head Coach Jill Morrison said. "Our senior leadership was crucial in guiding the team through this transition."

Sunday's bracket play yielded better results, with the girls securing the Division 1 Silver bracket title. The team faced familiar foes, including Wilbur-Creston-Keller and Tonasket, both of whom also made the seven-hour journey to Centralia.

"We laughed with their coaches about driving all that way just to play each other," Morrison said.

Standout performances came from across the roster, with incoming freshman Shontee Keiffer earning praise for her eagerness to learn and ability to compete in high-intensity matchups.

"Shontee was thrown to the wolves and handled it with incredible poise," Morrison said. "Her enthusiasm set the tone for our younger players."

The Pacific Northwest Summer Volleyball Classic, hosted at Centralia High School, drew teams from across Washington and Oregon, offering a competitive platform for squads to prepare for the upcoming season.

"I have a clear vision of what our fall season will look like, and it's going to be exciting," Morrison said.