Bellevue earns 10th at State
After going 1-3 with a win over Wilson, the Bellevue girls water polo team took home 10th place at last week’s State Tournament. It was the Wolverines’ first appearance at State in nearly a decade and came just one year after the program was restarted after a seven-year hiatus. Senior co-captain Sierra Anderson earned Honorable Mention All-State after collecting 36 saves throughout the tournament.
Gig Harbor 21, Bellevue 1
Facing last year’s runner-up and this year’s eventual champions, Bellevue encountered a tough task in its state tournament opener. Gig Harbor jumped out to an early 5-0 first quarter lead, prompting Bellevue to slow down the game in preparation for its showdown with Enumclaw later in the day. Sierra Anderson had 13 saves in the loss. Freshman Morgan Baker scored Bellevue’s lone goal, assisted by senior co-captain Sophie Pasewark.
Enumclaw 13, Bellevue 9
After a mere 90 minutes of rest, the Wolverines hopped back into the pool with a berth in the quarterfinals on the line. Enumclaw scored two early first-quarter goals. The teams traded goals the rest of the game, but every time Bellevue got close, Enumclaw had an answer. Baker scored a season-high six goals in the loss. Sophomore Maggie Ugelstad added three goals. Junior co-captain Julie Mao added two ejections drawn.
Bellevue 10, Wilson 3
On Thursday night, the Wolverines bounced back with one of their best performances of the season. Ugelstad scored four goals, Baker and Mao scored two each, and freshman Sophia Schmid scored one. Senior center Sophie Quynn scored one goal and drew two ejections in what proved to be her final game as a Wolverine. Anderson anchored the stellar defensive effort, recording six saves and two steals.
Auburn-Riverside 7, Bellevue 6
On Saturday afternoon, the Wolverines were pitted against Auburn-Riverside for 9th/10th place game. It was a rematch of the two teams’ epic Wild Card game, won by Auburn-Riverside in sudden death overtime at the buzzer. Bellevue jumped out to an early 3-1 first quarter lead behind two goals from Baker and one from Ugelstad. The second quarter was all Bellevue, as the Wolverines held the Ravens scoreless and added goals from Baker and Mao. The third period, however, was all Auburn Riverside. The short-handed Wolverines, playing without Quynn and four other injured players and just one sub, began to run out of steam. Riverside posted a 4-0 third quarter to tie the game at 5-5 heading into the fourth period. Baker converted a 6-on-5 opportunity on Bellevue’s first possession of the fourth to put the Wolverines back on top 6-5. But two straight Ravens goals left the Wolverines trailing by one. With just 1:06 remaining in the game, Bellevue earned a five-meter penalty shot. But the penalty shot hit the crossbar, and the Wolverines were unable to tie the game.
Bellevue finishes its season with a 10-19 record. Congratulations to seniors Sierra Anderson, Sophie Pasewark, Sophie Quynn, Lucy Stokes and Dayea Lee on their fantastic careers! With five of seven starters and 91% of its scoring returning in 2015, the future looks bright for the young Wolverine squad.
For a complete list of state tournament results, click here.
