This past Tuesday the Auburn Mountainview girls volleyball team clinched its second consecutive South Puget Sound League 3A title with a 3-0 win over Decatur. For the program – ranked No. 7 in the state by the Washington Volleyball Coaches Association – the title is not only a testament to the girls’ on-court performance, but also to the bonds of friendship off the court, bonds that have paid off in a perfect 10-0 league record, 12-2 overall, according to coach Momi Bowles.

The season didn’t start off a smashing success, however. At one point early in the year, the team was 1-3, reeling from 3-0 losses to 4A Rogers and Puyallup.

“Those were our only two losses of the year, and they set the tone for what we needed to do to win another SPSL 3A title,” Bowles said. “It put everybody in check and got them working.”

Although team unity, a cornerstone of the Lion volleyball program, was already in place for the squad, Bowles said the on-court fire wasn’t there yet.

“After the losses, the intensity increased,” she said. “Most important was getting better at ball control and being able to run a quicker offense. We just didn’t have the ball control to do anything fast.”

Bowles added that the strong defense and blockers of both Puyallup and Rogers exploited the Lions’ ball control weaknesses, providing the girls with a template upon which to improve.

Now, with the postseason sub-district tourney beginning tomorrow at Auburn Mountainview, the Lions are ready to take their share and compete for a state title.

“I think they are ready more than ever,” Bowles said. “The last couple of games we finished with Lakes and Decatur, and it was good getting some other girls playing time and helping them to understand their roles. And as we head into these Saturday tournaments, we’re looking forward to the increase in competition.”

Regardless of how the team fares in the postseason, Bowles calls this year’s squad the most fun she’s had since beginning the program five years ago, crediting senior co-captains Kelsey Fausko and Jamie Cappa with setting the tone.

“Kelsey Fausko has been great in the middle for us,” she said.

Bowles said that Fausko was hitting .340 in the middle and was in the top-two in the SPSL 3A in kills and hitting percentage.

“I can’t say enough about those two girls,” Bowles said. “They’ve made this season so special. It’s friends first with this team, because when you’re friends, you’ll do anything for each other. Their leadership has just been outstanding. It’s nice to have your best players also be your best leaders.”

The Lions will kick off the postseason tomorrow at 10 a.m.