The Highline women’s volleyball team ended their season after a 3-0 loss against the 2021 champion Linn-Benton in the quarterfinals.

A few days before the match, Highline had five players receive NWAC Volleyball All-Star awards. Sophomore Bethany Tuchadrt was named the West MVP. She ranked first in hitting percentage and second in the league for kills on the statistical leaderboards. 

Freshman Tru Onitsuka and Sophomore Khadijah Morgan made the Region First-Team and Lauren Clark, Maddison Mafalala, and Bethany Tuchardt were named sophomore all-stars.

Last Friday, Highline traveled to Pierce College for the first round of the single-elimination tournament. The No. 1 seeded Linn-Benton defeated No. 2 Highline in straight sets.

Highline had a slow start and showed early signs of struggle. They scored only 23 points combined in their first two sets, 25-10 and 25-13. The Lady T-Birds had 21 hitting errors in the match.

The Roadrunners remained in control up until the third set when Highline fought back.

Highline led for most of the third set with a score of 10-6 near the halfway point, their first substantial lead of the match. The Lady T-Birds crept all the way to set point 24-23, but Linn-Benton scored four of the final five points, winning the game in a sweep 25-10, 25-13, and 27-25.

Highline outside hitter Angelina Pham tallied seven kills, nine digs and two block assists. Setter Madison Maafala had 10 assists and five digs while libero Tru Onitsuka had 11 digs.

Despite a momentous season cut short, the Lady T-Birds finished the year with a 22-6 record and a Co-West Region championship. The team received their region title trophy prior to the match.