Jackson cruises to win in 29-team tournament

KENT — They come at you hard. They come at you from everywhere.

The Jackson Timberwolves of Mill Creek showed off their array of heavy artillery to win the Kent Classic volleyball tournament Saturday at Kentlake.

They blew through the 29-team field without dropping a set, beating Skyview of Vancouver in the title match, 25-18, 25-12.

Some teams ride one or two horses at the net. The Timberwolves have a stable up front, including senior Leigh-Ann Haataja, who has committed to Portland State. Haataja had five kills in the title match, while Emmy Allen pounded nine and Miah Diirell had six. Both are just sophomores as well as smooth setter Haley MacDonald, who handed out 14 assists against Skyview.

"We have a very deep team," Haataja said. "Knowing you can trust everyone on the court is unbelievable, and Haley does a great job of getting the ball to everyone and giving everyone an opportunity."

Issaquah coach Todd Parsons was impressed after Jackson rolled past his team in the semifinals, 25-19, 25-11. It was the first loss of the season for the seventh-ranked Eagles, who had previously dropped only one set all season — that in a 3-1 victory over Kentwood to start the year.

"You've got to give it to Jackson," Parsons said. "They had an arsenal of weapons firing from all places, and their setter is absolutely amazing."

The Eagles advanced to the semifinals with a 2-0 victory over No. 9 Monroe, clinching first place in their pool. They officially shared third place with No. 10 Olympia, which lost 2-1 to Skyview in the semis. Bellarmine Prep of Tacoma took fifth.

Jackson's only loss of the season has been to Kennedy Catholic, ranked No. 3 in 3A. Haataja said the T-Wolves came into the tournament looking for a top-three finish.

"To come in and win it is just unbelievable, and we're so proud of ourselves," she said.

Kentwood won the second-tier bracket with a 2-0 victory over Seattle Prep, finishing sixth. Prep, ranked No. 9 in Class 3A, was without one of its top players, Olivia Magill, who stayed home with the flu. The Panthers took seventh and beat No. 5 Mount Si to move into the bracket final against Kentwood, which had knocked out No. 9 Monroe.

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