Camas volleyball team comes alive

The Camas High School Warehouse was rocking and rolling Thursday, as the Papermakers swept the Union Titans 25-20, 25-23, 25-14.

“I’ll remember the volume in the gym and all the support we gave each other,” said sophomore middle blocker Colleen McAvoy. “We’re a young team, but I think we’re going to surprise a lot of people because we’ve been working so hard and we gel so well. There’s nowhere to go but up from here.”

Erika Weber anchored the attack with 27 digs, 11 service points and three aces. Aubrey Stanton added 26 assists, five service points and four digs. Keelie LeBlanc delivered 10 kills, four digs and three service points. Natalie Scholtes earned seven kills and three digs. McAvoy collected four blocks, five kills, three aces and three service points.

There were several ties during a grueling second set. Union scored five points in a row to take a 17-14 advantage, but Camas rallied to tie the score after taking a timeout.

After the Titans regained a 19-17 lead, Stanton tipped the ball in at the net for the Papermakers to tie it back up at 19. A kill by LaBlanc gave Camas a 20-19 lead. Weber made it 22-20 Camas on an ace. Once again, Union came up with an equalizer.

LaBlanc blasted a kill down the right line to put the Papermakers up 23-22. The Titans tied the set one more time, before a couple of hitting errors helped Camas seize the victory.

“I think we wanted it more in the end,” LaBlanc said. “We just played with a lot of fire.”

The Papermakers jumped out to a 13-4 lead in the third set before putting the finishing touches on the sweep.

Camas defeated Heritage 25-15, 25-15, 25-16 Sept. 15, at Heritage High School.

Weber delivered 13 digs and 13 service points. Stanton racked up 27 assists, four kills and four service points. Joan Varsek earned 11 kills, seven digs and two aces. McAvoy provided 13 service points, four blocks and two kills.

The Papermakers earned third place in a tournament at Auburn-Mountainview High School, Sept. 12. Camas beat North Thurston, Lynwood, Auburn and Edmunds Woodway.

The Papermakers head to Skyview tonight, host Mountain View Thursday and go to Battle Ground Tuesday, Sept. 29. All of these matches start at 7 p.m.

“I hope we each improve as a player, and as a team as well, so we can take on tougher competitors,” LaBlanc said.