It’s never been better than this.
After inviting some of the best volleyball teams from around the state to South Whidbey High School year after year, it was very nearly the Falcons’ turn to be on top of the heap Saturday. In the 16-team Falcon Invitational tournament, South Whidbey made the championship game for the first time since the event grew from being an eight-team event to 16.
Though they didn’t win — the girls from Woodland were just a notch better as they took the Falcons in a tight 25-21, 25-15 match — the South Whidbey girls proved something that they’ve known all along: That they are one of the best 2A volleyball teams in Washington.
“We finally know what we’re capable of,” said Brianna Hussey, a senior setter for the team.
At the 2002 edition of the tournament, the Falcon girls — with many of the same players on the team as this season — barely managed a 10th-place finish against mixed 2A and 3A competition. But this time around, trying to win the tournament was the primary goal.
“Last year, it was more ‘Let’s have fun,’” said senior Katy McGillen.
In pool play, the Falcons downed Cedarcrest, Shorewood and Chelan in three 2-0 match wins. In their semi-final game, South Whidbey overcame a challenge from Omak, staying ahead to win 25-20 and 25-16.
Leading the team to the championship game were Hussey with 69 assists on the tournament; McGillen with 26 kills and 22 digs; Nici Eaton, Jordan Tobler and Liz Norris with 14 kills each; and Amy Brown with 19 digs
Though they lost in the championship game, the South Whidbey girls were satisfied with what they got out of the tournament. First, they beat Chelan after losing to that team repeatedly at the annual Chelan Invitational. Second, they go noticed.
“Other coaches were saying to us ‘See you at state,’” said Falcon senior Bronwyn Russell.
Falcon coach Tim Durbin was as thrilled with the second-place tourney finish as his players. However, he said, it is unlikely that after a performance like this his team will be able to “sneak up” on any other opponents this season.
