Camas volleyball beats River in early test

To get a jump on the season, the Camas volleyball team stacks the early part of its schedule with tough opponents.

And the Papermakers don’t have to look far to find them.

Camas took down perennial Class 2A power Columbia River in four sets on Monday in the latest chapter in a budding volleyball rivalry.

Camas is ranked No. 2 in the latest Washington State Volleyball Coaches Association Class 4A poll. In their first six matches, the Papermakers have faced five top-10 teams in their respective classifications.

That includes Ridgefield (No. 4 in 2A), Emerald Ridge (No. 5 in 4A), Olympia (No. 10 in 4A) and Kelso (No. 9 in 3A).

But no early-season win was coveted by Camas (5-1) as much as taking down the Rapids, who have won the past four 2A state titles and are ranked No. 1 in the latest coaches poll.

The Papermakers also beat River last year in a thrilling five-set match.

“We know we have that rivalry against them, so we all stepped it up,” Camas senior Ella Thompson said. “We talked about how pressure is a privilege. It’s an opportunity for us to grow.”

Thompson, a senior who has committed to play at the University of Miami-Florida, had a team-high 18 kills and 23 digs. She said this year’s team has high expectations after placing fifth in the 4A state tournament last year and sixth the year before.

“We have five seniors and we have a lot of younger girls who have so much potential,” Thompson said. “Every day they’re getting better in the gym.”

Monday’s match didn’t start ideally for Camas, which dropped the first set 25-17. But senior libero Emmah Sanchez said her team has developed a resiliency by seeking out tough competition.

“I think we were really tense in the beginning but we came out strong in the end,” said Sanchez, who earned second-team all-state honors last season. “We got that calmness and carried that through to get the win. We should be proud of our whole team.”

Camas responded by taking the next three sets 25-21, 25-19 and 25-22. Shaylee Stephen tallied eight kills, Quinn Pederson had 12 digs and Sanchez added 11 digs.

Columbia River (4-1) has already started 2A Greater St. Helens League play, with the Rapids beating Ridgefield as part of a 3-0 start to league play. Monday, Sophia Gourley had a match-high 20 kills, Ava Bond had 10 kills and 20 digs and Avery Seley had 40 assists.

Camas doesn’t start 4A GSHL play until Oct. 8. But the Papermakers are using their tough non-league slate to become a more-cohesive team with an eye on contending for the 4A state title.