Needing two victories Saturday, Nov. 5, to earn its first-ever state volleyball berth, Elma (7-10) never got untracked against a power-hitting Castle Rock squad that dominated the net and scored numerous quick points off serve.

“They didn’t have much communication at all,” Eagle coach Kendra Henry said of her team.

Elma’s highlight came late in the first set, when freshman Kali Rambo served five consecutive aces and classmate Quin Mikel followed with a kill. It was telling, however, that the Eagles still faced a 16-10 deficit even after that spurt. The Rockets regained the serve and quickly closed out the set.

Castle Rock’s Logann Golden served 14 consecutive points to erase a 7-4 Elma lead in the second set. Golden also served the opening seven points of the third set.

The Eagles had the satisfaction of advancing to the final day of district for the first time in recent memory. They graduate only two seniors, Kaylee Rambo and Ana Perez.

“I’m very proud of this team,” first-year coach Henry said. “Obviously, it was a tough way to end the season, but we’re going to remember this feeling, work hard in the offseason and be ready for the next season.”

Coming from behind in the fourth set, Elma had stayed alive in the District IV 1A Tournament by outlasting Hoquiam, 25-13, 15-25, 13-25, 25-23, 15-10, on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at Castle Rock.

The Eagles lost in three sets to Trico League champion La Center in their opening match, while Hoquiam fell to King’s Way Christian, 25-13, 25-20, 25-19, in its first contest of the night.

Hoquiam concluded its season at 6-11.

This was the third five-setter in as many meetings between Elma and Hoquiam this season. The Eagles, who have won two of those contests, overcame a deficit in the fourth set, then maintained the momentum in the fifth.

“They came out with a lot more fire and energy (in the fifth set),” Hoquiam coach Heather Bozich reported. “The middle two games, we played with the intensity that needs to be played at district. Then we started second-guessing ourselves and hesitating. A lot of communication errors.”

Elma statistics were not reported. Kamimi Papp had 15 kills and Karlie Krohn eight for Hoquiam. Krohn had 26 digs, one more than teammate Ashley Paladin. Paige Folkers had 12 assists and Kacey Pelan 11 for the Grizzlies.

Papp had eight kills, ReyLynn Dunn 12 digs and Elyse Goulet four blocks against King’s Way.

Bozich cited the senior leadership of Folkers and Paladin.

“I’m really proud of how far they’ve come this season,” she said.