The No.8 ranked Lion volleyball team punched their sixth consecutive ticket to the state championships this past weekend, taking third at the West Central District III tourney at Auburn Moutainview High School.

The Lions (16-4 overall) kicked off the district tourney with a second-round match versus Hudson Bay, polishing off the Eagles 3-0 with scores of 25-12, 25-15, 25-15.

Senior Kelsey Fausko had 11 kills, with sophomore Molly Cichosz adding 11 kills and three blocks.

Junior setter Sam Odren contributed 29 assists.

In their second game Auburn Mountainview were downed by eventual tourney champs, No. 6 ranked Camas, by scores of 23-25, 16-25, 25-23, 25-20, 17-15.

Fausko had 17 kills and 19 digs in the loss, with senior Caitlin Carr adding 16 kills, three blocks and 13 digs. Odren had 44 assists.

In the third-fourth place contest the Lions unloaded on Timberline, winning in three games by scores of 25-9, 25-22, 25-21.

In that game, Fausko 19 kills and three assists, with Carr chipping in with eight kills and three aces. Odren had 37 assists.

Auburn Mountainview kicks off the state tournament with an 11:45 a.m. contest this Friday against Glacier Peak (13-5) at Saint Martin's University in Lacey.

ALSO: The Auburn Riverside Ravens ended their run at the West Central District III/Southwest District 4 4A Volleyball tournament with a 3-2 loss to Central Kitsap, Saturday at Kentwood High School.

The Ravens (4-4 South Puget Sound League North 4A, 7-9 overall) started the tournament by defeating Heritage in a play-in contest, earning the dubious right to face No.6 ranked Puyallup in the opening round of the tourney.

The Ravens were relegated to the consolation bracket by a 3-0 defeat – with scores of 25-18, 25-14, 25-11 – at the hands of the Vikings.

Against the Cougars, Auburn Riverside lost by scores of 25-21, 27-29, 25-12, 17-25, 15-10, ending their season.

No. 3-ranked Bellarmine Prep came away with the district title, overcoming No. 4 Olympia 25-16, 25-19, 22-25, 25-19.

The Washington State 4A tourney begins Friday at Saint Martin's University and Timberline High School in Lacey.

Contact Auburn Reporter Sports Reporter Shawn Skager at sskager@auburn-reporter.com or (253) 833-0218, ext. 5054.

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