Last Friday’s win against Bishop Blanchet at the state 3A volleyball tournament at the Toyota Center in Kennewick was as good as it got for the Auburn Mountainview girls.

Despite the opening-round victory, the Lions, who were seeking their first state placing as a program, were denied in their quest by consecutive losses in the quarterfinals and the consolation bracket to Eastside Catholic and Kennedy Catholic, respetively.

Auburn Mountainview got off to a good start by defeating Bishop Blanchet, 3-2. The Lions battled back from a two-game deficit to beat the Braves. Game scores were 18-25, 19-25, 25-20, 25-12 and 17-15.

Junior Caitlin Carr lead the Lions with 14 kills, two aces, 16 digs and two blocks. Sophomore setter Sam Odren had 30 assists and two aces and libero Alex Odren had 22 digs. Junior Kelsey Fausko chipped in with 10 kills.

The win moved the Lions on to a quarterfinal match against Eastside Catholic (19-3). The Crusaders defeated Auburn Mountainview, 3-1. Game scores were 20-25, 25-10, 25-15, 25-20.

The Lions were led in the loss by Fausko’s 19 kills and three digs. Carr added 27 digs and Alex Odren had 16 digs. Sam Odren contributed 32 assists and 10 digs.

Eastside Catholic was led by Cami Silverman with 26 kills and 20 digs.

Forced into the consolation bracket, the Lions were eliminated in the semifinals by Kennedy Catholic, 3-1. Game scores were 25-14, 20-25, 25-22, 25-22.

Sam Odren had 30 assists and 15 digs in the contest with Fausko adding 12 kills, eight digs and an ace. Carr had 12 kills and 17 digs and Alex Odren had 17 assists. Stephanie Sinclair chimed in with four blocks.

For the Lancers, Katie Key had 30 assists, 18 digs, five kills and four blacks and Lauren Zilke added 27 digs.

The Lions finish the season with at 17-6 overall record. The team will lose five seniors – Sinclair, Alex Odren, Jamee Cappa, Amanda Mozzone and Megan Evans – but return a strong core of starters for next season.