Eagle spikers head to playoffs

On the heels of a 3-0 victory Nov. 3, Arlington’s volleyball team heads into the District 1 playoffs as Wesco champions.

The Eagles capped off their season with a Nov. 3 win against Cascade, 25-5, 25-9 and 25-8.

“Last night there was focus from start to finish,” Arlington volleyball coach Kelly Pederson said.

Senior Emily Mekelburg had three aces, 11 kills and two digs while senior Taylor Pederson had two aces, four kills, 19 assists and two digs. Senior Malia Shepherd had eight aces, eight kills and seven digs while senior Mackenzie Caple had two aces, one kill and three digs.

Pederson said even though Cascade has struggled through the season, “We assume they can play with us.”

The Nov. 3 game against Cascade was also senior night for the Eagles. In addition to Mekelburg, Pederson, Shepherd and Caple, seniors Brookelynn Ramey and Laura Meno were honored.

Arlington finishes the season ranked sixth in the state with a 14-2 record. The team’s losses were Sept. 9 against Lake Stevens, which is the number-one ranked 4A team in the state, and Oct. 21 against Stanwood. Arlington won the Wesco Championships in 2019 and placed sixth in the state tournament. The Eagles played a shortened season last spring due to the pandemic.

Pederson complimented the players on transitioning from the shortened season to a full schedule that included league and non-league play.

Up next for the Eagles, who are also the Wesco Conference champions, is the District 1 tournament, which began Nov. 9. Arlington had a first-round bye and played the winner of Mountlake Terrace vs Oak Harbor. The semi-finals and finals will take place Nov. 11 and Nov. 13 at Marysville Pilchuck High School.

“Our plan is to play strong every game and win every match,” Pederson said of the District 1 volleyball tournament, and be in a good position to compete at the state tournament that takes place Nov. 18 and Nov. 19 at the Yakima Valley SunDome.