CAPTIVATED: THE VOLLEYDOGS TOUCHED OUR HEARTS IN A HISTORIC WAY
-Benton Strong, Garfield Messenger
December 5, 2003

And we camped at Redmond for ten hours before we could wildly celebrate the first State Tournament berth in the history of Garfield volleyball.

Then our numbers multiplied for the day every team plays the game for. Enough fans made the trip north to fill two sections at Everett Events Center. In the David versus Goliath match, the Volleydogs were overpowered by one of the state’s best teams: Spanaway Lake. Garfield made a huge run in the third game and contested the match until the very last point. The Pep squad asserted its dominance through music and cheers as well as amidst a chant of “Where is Spanaway?”

In the four hours between matches, fans commuted to lunch in downtown Everett and players searched for ways to spend the time. Juniors Hannah Weisman and Burnley Dluhosh were found down by the players’ lockerrooms. They were tossing a ball around, partly trying to get loose, and partly just living up the thrill of being at the state tournament. An hour was spent just laughing and having a good time. Much of it was spent sitting on a cold floor, due to the ice rink directly below the volleyball courts, but the players were hot with excitement. Their attitudes were the culmination of a nearly perfect season that made just the one day at state so special.

At about 7:15 the Volleydogs began the first game of their final match of the year. The game that was a thrill ride in itself. The ‘Dogs staged a huge comeback to tie it late, and pushed #5 Eisenhower to the brink, before losing 37-35. Coach Leslie Hamann said the game took a lot out of a team riding on emotion. And it showed as the ‘Dogs fell in the next two games much more easily.

However, even though it is known that there is a certain joy to be gained from winning, there is also a great joy gained from accomplishment.

I saw nearly 21 hours of volleyball during the State Tournament weekend. I watched an Eastside Catholic team that finished fifth in Metro (its own league), ride a wave of excitement to the 3A State Title game. I watched the three-time defending 3A State Champion, Seattle Prep, defeat that Eastside Catholic team to accomplish their only remaining goal on the year. I watched the #1 Blanchet team get upset in the first round before realizing they still had something to play for, and taking fifth. However, I may have watched the state’s best volleyball in some other stands, but only amongst the purple and white did I watch the state’s most exciting volleyball team.

No team was happier to finally be where they were. No team had better fans who were just as excited to be at state as most of the other teams. To watch Junior Cat Juson rise above the net for a set made your heart leap with glee. When Junior Lillie Cohn or Senior Kat Compton glided above the net you found yourself silently shaking with excitement. When Sophomores Molly Swenson and Chelle Ticeson played like seasoned veterans under pressure, you found yourself falling in love with the underclassmen. When Seniors Laura Shaw and Alix Toothman made a perfect pass or a thunderous block, you found yourself thanking them for everything they have brought to the Garfield Volleyball program in their years here. Juniors Amanda Jamieson, Hannah Weisman, Burnley Dluhosh and Tara Kase made the crowd explode every time they made a great dig or served an ace. Leslie Hamann made us laugh when she jumped seemingly a mile off the fl oor after a win against Woodinville in the district tournament. Coach Jack Hamann made you love volleyball when he spoke to you with so much passion about this extremely successful season. And finally, the scene as the Seniors finished their last game, and the roller-coaster ride came to a final halt, brought a tear to your eye and the final realization that you had a been a part of a special accomplishment.

The Pep Squad marched around the brand new arena, playing louder than it ever had before and echoing the sounds of Garfield High School throughout Everett. As they marched out the door and into the night, the casual fan standing in the doorway felt chills move through their body. We were celebrating the accomplishments of one sports team, a team that didn’t win a game in state, but won the hearts of a school.

These girls captivated us, gave us something to cheer about, and made the mighty Bulldog sing, “Garfield Volleydogs UH!”

"Captivated ..." link to Garfield Messenger