4A Volleyball | Mead’s run continues: 5 state titles in a row
KENNEWICK — Their T-shirts read “HGP,” which could stand for Heck of a Good Program.
But the Mead Panthers had “Hearts, Guts and Passion” in mind when they created the acronym, and they once again played with large doses of all three as they captured an unprecedented fifth consecutive Class 4A state volleyball championship Saturday night at the Toyota Center.
For the second straight year, top-ranked Mead beat rival Lewis and Clark in an all-Spokane final, this time by scores of 25-18, 20-25, 25-21, 25-21. No other Washington school has won more than four consecutive state titles. The Panthers matched Odessa’s 2B run of four in a row (1989-1992) last year.
It never gets old for coach Judy Kight.
“I am in awe of what they did,” she said.
Especially in the semifinals, where they survived a major scare when Rogers of Puyallup won the opening two games. Mead had not lost a game in the tournament to that point and had dropped only two in state all season, one to Lewis and Clark early on. The team’s lone loss came in a prestigious California tournament.
But there is no quit in the Panthers, who finish the season 35-1. They rallied to win the next three games and returned to their customary place in the title match.
How did they do it?
“Heart, guts and passion,” Montana-bound senior Emma Olgard said.
No. 9 Lewis and Clark shocked second-ranked Kentwood in the semifinals, 3-2, handing the Conquerors their only loss of the season. The Tigers (25-8) felt it was their turn after losing to Mead in four previous meetings this season on top of last year’s 0-5 showing and played the Panthers even early, splitting the first two games.
But Mead would not be denied and both teams left the court smiling. Some L-C players jumped and shouted, “We got second in state!”
“That’s the hardest we’ve played all year,” said senior Laurie Yearout, who had 18 assists, 20 digs, six kills and three blocks in her final high-school match. “They played a hell of a match.”
L-C coach Julie Yearout, Laurie’s mother, had no complaints.
“They played their hearts out today,” she said.
But it wasn’t quite enough against Mead.
“There’s something about that tradition,” coach Yearout said.
The 6-foot-3 Olgard, who had a match-high five blocks to go along with six kills, could not explain her emotions.
“There’s no words to express how it feels,” she said.
Alexis Olgard, Emma’s 6-5 sophomore sister, had 13 kills and four blocks and gives Mead reason to believe in a six-peat, despite the loss of seven seniors.
But Kight, who also guided Mead to the title in 1999, wants to savor this one.
“It’s the most awesome experience every year,” she said, “and I’m so amazed every year at the level of talent.”
And Mead’s amazing run continues.
Sandy Ringer: sringer@seattletimes.com