By SCOTT SPRUILL
YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC

Tonhya Wysong went through her tearful and joyful appointments one by one, hugging each of her teammates in a special way that reminded them this was it. The last time together.

Grandview's Jessica Gonzalez serves the ball against Connell in the Class 2A state tournament contest for fifth place Saturday in the SunDome. Grandview swept Connell 25-13, 25-19 and 25-15.   GORDON KING/Yakima Herald-Republic

Then the Grandview senior took her well-deserved position -- front and center for team pictures while hoisting the Greyhounds’ fifth-place trophy at the Class 2A state volleyball tournament in the SunDome.

As the team’s only senior and a four-year varsity veteran, Wysong implored her young crew to “go out with a bang” and it did exactly that Saturday afternoon, steamrolling Lynden Christian 25-19, 25-9, 25-19 in the placing finale.

“I’m just so glad we finished playing this well,” said the diminutive defensive specialist after she piled up 38 digs against the fourth-ranked Lyncs. “It was definitely special for me. I really wanted to be at my best so these young girls would remember me.”

If the Greyhounds had any lingering effects from their heartbreaking five-game loss to Mount Baker in Friday’s opening round, they didn’t show it. Grandview responded with three consecutive sweeps, eliminating Hoquiam on Friday and Connell on Saturday morning to secure the program’s third straight trophy and sixth in the last eight years.

“We just let our nerves get to us against Mount Baker. After that we were more relaxed and played like ourselves,” noted Grandview coach John LaFever. “Lynden Christian has a lot of firepower and that’s the kind of game we like. We had a strong block and played real well at the net all match.”

The Lyncs, who placed eighth and took home the school’s eighth trophy in a row, played catch-up through the entire first game and then got completely overwhelmed in the second. With junior setter Chante Bottineau and sophomore Jessica Gonzalez serving the streaks, the Greyhounds had two 9-0 runs in the 25-9 runaway.

Grandview’s talented youth was on full display at the net as sophomore Kealey Johnston and freshman Kinzi Poteet had 10 kills apiece. Johnston also collected 23 digs and, together with Wysong, the Greyhounds continuously repelled LC’s attack.

“That’s when we’re at the top of our game -- attacking at the net and getting every ball up consistently,” Wysong said. “I wish we had played like this yesterday. I mean, I give Mount Baker props for beating us, but we didn’t play like this. That’s what makes me so happy about today -- we went out playing our best.”

Bottineau set with precision all day Saturday, collecting 29 assists against Lynden Christian and 28 in Grandview’s 25-13, 25-19, 25-15 win over Connell in the morning.

After the loss to championship-finalist Mount Baker, Grandview allowed no more than 19 points in any game against Hoquiam, Connell and Lynden Christian.

STATISTICAL LEADERS (reported by coaches)
Grandview vs. Lynden Christian highlights: Kealey Johnston 10 kills, 23 digs; Kinzi Poteet 10 kills; Raissa Licano 5 kills, 2 blocks; Christine Penwell 7 kills; Sydney Mottice 3 kills, 13 digs, 2 blocks; Chante Bottineau 29 assists; Tonhya Wysong 38 digs; Jessica Gonzalez 2 aces, 15 digs.
Grandview vs. Connell highlights: Johnston 7 kills, 23 digs; Wysong 33 digs; Bottineau 28 assists; Poteet 9 kills; Licano 12 kills; Penwell 6 kills.