In a high-stakes clash between two of the top-ranked 1A volleyball teams in Washington, the Cashmere Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the season Monday night, falling in straight sets to the defending state champion Chelan Goats at Chelan High School.
In front of an electric crowd, the second-ranked Goats held off the third-ranked Bulldogs by scores of 25-17, 25-23, and 25-21 to remain unbeaten. With the loss, Cashmere drops to 7-1 on the season.
Chelan, winners of the last five 1A state championships, showcased their championship pedigree early, dominating the opening set behind stellar defense and the powerful hitting of senior Brynn Hughbanks, a Florida State University beach volleyball commit. The Bulldogs struggled to find rhythm early and couldn’t recover from an early deficit in the first set.
However, Cashmere responded with grit in the second, taking control for much of the frame and building a 17-13 lead. But the Goats mounted a late surge, capitalizing on key opportunities and unforced errors by the Bulldogs to snatch the set in the final points.
Set three mirrored the intensity of the second, though Chelan jumped out to a 6-0 lead before the Bulldogs finally got on the board. Cashmere battled back and closed the gap to 21-18, but Chelan held on, closing out the match with poise and efficiency.
Despite the straight-set loss, the Bulldogs proved they could go toe-to-toe with the state’s gold standard program in a match that was competitive throughout.
Junior setter Cali Diaz turned in a strong performance for Cashmere, going 15-for-16 from the service line with two aces, while dishing out 27 assists and adding two kills. Junior outside hitter Macie Smart was dominant at the net, finishing with a team-high 17 kills on 23-for-29 hitting, and also went 8-for-8 from the service line. Senior Hazel Schade contributed seven kills and was a perfect 12-for-12 serving. Junior Teagan Kerns also added seven kills.
While the Bulldogs matched the Goats in several key areas, unforced errors proved costly. Chelan committed just 18, while Cashmere tallied 37.
The Bulldogs won’t face the Goats again in the regular season, but a potential rematch looms in the District 5 title match in November — or possibly even deeper in the postseason at the State Tournament in the Yakima SunDome.
Next up for Cashmere is a Thursday road trip to Zillah, where the Bulldogs will look to bounce back against the 5-1 Leopards, currently sitting second place in the SCAC.
