Broncos get revenge on Lancers in state tournament

YAKIMA — The Lind-Ritzville/Sprague/Washtucna/Harrington girls avenged a district loss to Liberty (Spangle) on Friday, Nov. 11, by eliminating the Lancers from the state 2B volleyball tournament in the Yakima Valley SunDome.

The Broncos swept their league rival, 25-15, 25-17, 25-23.

“It’s so exciting to be able to redeem ourselves after losing to them in the district tournament,” Broncos Coach Cari Galbreath said. “But it’s also awesome to have two teams here from the same district battling on the last day of state.”

The win ended the season for the Lancers and propelled the Broncos into the trophy game for fifth-place, which they lost 3-2 against Adna, securing a sixth-place finish.

Adna lost to the Northeast 2B’s top seed, No. 4-ranked Colfax, in the second round of the state tournament on Nov. 10.

The Broncos dominated the court, giving the Lancers little opportunity.

“We pretty much took care of the ball,” Galbreath said. “When we do that, I feel like we’re pretty much unstoppable.”

Galbreath, who was named NE2B Coach of the Year, also credited the Lancers.

“Liberty is a great team, a good program,” she said.

Looking ahead to the Adna matchup, Galbreath said her plan was to “keep rolling with our momentum, and our united attitude with what we’re trying to accomplish here at state.”

Ultimately that momentum wasn’t able to sink the Pirates, but the Broncos still walked out with a sixth-place plaque.