By Gerardo Bolong

The battling Lancers of Kennedy Catholic High School (Burien) completed their 2018 volleyball season at the Class 4A WIAA/Dairy Farmers of Washington/Les Schwab Tires state championships at the Yakima Valley SunDome following a four-set elimination by No. 5-ranked Lake Stevens on Sat., Nov. 17.

Kennedy Catholic (16-9) got off to a rocking start to establish a strong early lead and rarely let up on its striking, blocking, and digging on the way to an impressive 25-17 first set domination.

The Vikings regrouped to power away into a 25-10 second set win.

Fighting fiercely with good reslience, KCHS tried valiantly in the third set, but Lake Stevens held the winning cards for a 25-19 victory.

Although the Lancers pushed hard in the fourth set, the Vikings were just too strong down the stretch run in a 25-20 closing triumph.

Lake Stevens moved on to the trophy round (seventh or eighth place)

As a No. 7 seven seed from West Central/Southwest bi-district, Kennedy Catholic opened up with a match up against unbeaten and state-rated No. 1 as well as Max Preps No. 9 nationally ranked Kentridge on Fri., Nov. 16.

To their full credit, the Lancers matched the Chargers on all fronts before winning a 27-25 first set.

KC was still in the hunt in set No. 2. but Kentridge was able to claim a 25-21 triumph.

The full prowess of the Charger strength emerged in the third set with a 25-13 control against the Burien group.

In the fourth set, KCHS gave it all that was available before KR prevailed, 25-22.

Throughout the latter stages of the season and up to now, the KC effort was aided when the service and passing game was strong.

Later in the afternoon, the Lancers regrouped to eliminate Issaquah in four sets on the way to the Saturday encounter.

The first set was hotly contested until KC won key points to earn a 26-24 edge.

Serving accuracy dropped off for the Lancers in the second set as the Eagles soared away to a 25-13 win.

Competing at equal levels of intensity, the squads fired away at each other closely, but Kennedy Catholic had enough in reserve to gain a 25-21 winning form.

Similar action held sway in the fourth set until the Kennedy Catholic Lancers prevailed in another 25-21 score.