Volleyball team ranked No. 1

RITZVILLE – The Lind-Ritzville/Sprague girls showed why they are the No. 1-ranked Class 2B volleyball team in the state Saturday, Sept. 23, sweeping Tri-Cities Prep, 3-0.

Set scores were 25-18, 25-15, 25-13.

Coach Cari Galbreath credited senior Megan Melcher and sophomore Zoe Galbreath with solid game play.

"Megan Melcher had phenomenal passing," the coach said. "Her defense passing game was really good. She had some really good swings."

Melcher is the only senior on the Lind-Ritzville/Sprague team this season.

"I think Zoe Galbreath had some top serves," she added.

Zoe Galbreath had 15 assists, 8 kills, 3 aces and 1 dig against Tri-Cities Prep.

Addy Colbert had one kill and 2 blocks, and Claire Wellsandt had 9 digs in the win.

Cari Galbreath said her girls played well, but sometimes got a little complacent when their lead grew over the Jaguars (3-3).

"We get a little too comfortable," Galbreath said. "But we were still able to get the victory."

Galbreath said her team shows strong camaraderie when playing.

"As a team, they're unified in their goals," she said. "They keep the fire going."

The Broncos, now 6-0, sit atop the Northeast 2B league and the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association's RPI volleyball standings.

Galbreath said she didn't know her Broncos had become the top-ranked team in the state last week.

"I don't really pay attention to it that much," she said. "I just feel like that ranking is not always accurate, so I don't like to play into it very much.

The local girls jumped to No. 1 last week after beating league rival and perennial volleyball powerhouse, Colfax.

The Broncos won that matchup, 3-1.

"That was a really good win for us," Galbreath said.

After that, the Broncos traveled to Asotin, where they swept No. 3-ranked Asotin, 3-0, securing their spot atop the Northeast 2B and the state poll.

"For a No. 3 team, I thought they'd be a lot stronger," the coach said. "They were not that great."

Looking ahead, Galbreath said there are some tough teams coming up.

"I think Northwest Christian is going to be tough," Cari Galbreath said. "UCA (Upper Columbia Academy) might be another one. They usually have a few girls who know how to play volleyball.

"Reardan is up-and-coming you. And Davenport has gotten stronger year by year."

With five juniors, four sophomores and two freshmen on the varsity team, the Broncos are positioned to be a dominant team in the NE2B and state for a few years to come.

Galbreath, last year's NE2B Coach of the Year, is optimistic.

"Hopefully, we can do that," she said.

This week, the Bronco girls were scheduled to host Upper Columbia Academy on Tuesday, Sept. 26, then travel to St. George's in Spokane for a 6:30 p.m. Thursday night, Sept. 28.

The newspaper went to press before Tuesday's game.

Author Bio

Roger Harnack, Publisher

Roger Harnack is owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. An award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher who grew up in Eastern Washington, he's one of only two Washington state journalists ever to receive the international Golden Quill for editorial/commentary writing. Roger is committed to preserving local media, and along with it, a local voice for Eastern Washington.

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