No. 1 Ravens roll to district title, return to state to defend 4A volleyball crown

By Reporter staff • November 5, 2017 9:30 am
Auburn Riverside players celebrate after defeating Emerald Ridge for the West Central District title at Kentwood High School on Saturday night. The Ravens are returning to the state tournament to defend their championship in Kennewick later this week. RACHEL CIAMPI, Auburn Reporter

Auburn Riverside is primed for a repeat as 4A state volleyball champion.

The Ravens methodically wore down all challengers, including Emerald Ridge in the West Central District final at Kentwood High School last Saturday night, to return to the state tournament in Kennewick later this week.

Calley Heilborn, the Ravens’ 6-foot-1 star hitter, delivered 21 kills and 16 digs to power her team past the Jaguars in the championship match, 3-1. Game scores were 25-8, 25-17, 23-25 and 25-16. Ciera Zimmerman distributed 45 assists and Kate Pestova produced 13 kills and 17 digs.

The Ravens (19-1) stretched their winning streak to 13 matches. Over the weekend, Auburn Riverside took down Kentridge (3-0), Puyallup (3-1) and Curtis (3-1) to repeat as district champion.

The state tournament opens Friday and concludes Saturday at Kennewick’s Toyota Center. Auburn Riverside faces Skyline in the first round at 11:30 a.m. Friday.