The Beechwood volleyball squad didn’t just win a regional title, they snatched their second in a row, taking down No. 6 St. Henry 23-25, 25-12, 25-18 on August 27. This wasn’t just a win, it was a statement from the No. 13 Tigers, proving their 2025 state championship wasn’t a fluke.
The “Den” Was Electric as Beechwood Flipped the Script
Beechwood had the home-court advantage as the tournament host, and “The Den” was absolutely packed for this showdown against the Crusaders. It was a tough fight from the jump, a real grinder of a match that pushed the Tigers. Head coach Matt Long wasn’t mincing words either, saying, “Last year, St. Henry wasn’t in [the tournament], so it seemed like maybe it was a little easier. They made it tough for us. We earned it.” That resolve was tested immediately.
The first set was a back-and-forth battle where neither team led by more than three points after St. Henry clawed out of an early deficit. Violet Main, Stella Flick, Molly Blackburn, Kayleigh McCormack, and Ashley Hammond were making plays for the Crusaders, who eventually snagged the first set by a narrow two points. But Coach Long wasn’t letting his team hang their heads. Between sets, he pushed them to play one point at a time with a positive mentality, and it clearly resonated. The Tigers came out swinging in the second set, making a definitive statement and forcing a deciding third. Long said, “When you get the lead like that, obviously you want to keep it. Again, St. Henry’s good. They found some of our holes and took advantage of them. I feel like we did fix those problems halfway through that match. Our resolve and mentality not to let anything get past us too far.” They took that to heart, roaring back.
In the final set, Beechwood charged to a 15-9 lead before St. Henry coach Maureen Kaiser called a timeout. Even then, the Crusaders, led by defensive stars Kenadi Sieg, Audrey Pieczonka, Kali McCane, and Ashlyn Summers, mounted a serious rally, closing the gap to 18-17. But the Tigers refused to break, unleashing a crushing 7-1 run, with Macy Armstrong delivering the final kill that sent students, who’d coordinated a “white out,” storming the floor to celebrate.
Freshman Firepower and Senior Savvy Secure the Title
One of the biggest keys to Beechwood’s victory? The incredible youth they brought to the service line. The Tigers unleashed 14 total aces with only four errors, absolutely dissecting St. Henry’s defense. Freshman Kennedy Sturgeon set the tone early in the first set, sparking a 5-1 lead. In fact, Sturgeon, along with fellow freshman Emma Harris and eighth grader Payce Adams, combined for a stunning 11 aces. Senior and tournament MVP Isabel O’Brien, who currently leads the team in both kills and aces, was full of praise, saying, “They’ve been doing amazing. The sportsmanship and the kind of [people] they are, I’m so thankful to have them on our team.”
This squad isn’t just relying on youth, though. For the second straight year, seniors are leading the charge. O’Brien is an invaluable six-rotation player, and Skylr Estep is a setter extraordinaire who delivered several key blocks in the championship match. What’s next for this Beechwood team? Coach Long said it best: they’ve got work to do, but that resolve is already shining through. If this young squad keeps building on this momentum, the rest of the season is gonna be one heck of a ride.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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