While one celebrated, the other cried.

And Olivia Magill's moment of elation was tempered by Kam McLain's desolation.

Magill was ecstatic when her Seattle Prep volleyball team won the Class 3A state championship last year. But she empathized with her Eastside Catholic friend on the other side of the net.

So she briefly left the hugs of congratulations with her teammates to give one in consolation.

"She wiped off my tears," McLain recalls.

During the club volleyball season, which starts a week after the high-school state tournament, the 6-foot-1 Magill and 6-foot McLain are more than just friends. They are teammates on the Washington Volleyball Academy's top team, rotating at middle hitter.

But during high-school play, the friends turn foes as star outside hitters — at least on nights when they play each other.

They've squared off four times this season, with three decisions going to Seattle Prep — including the finals of the Metro League and Sea-King 3A District tournaments.

A fourth collision could come Saturday in title match of the state tournament at Saint Martin's University in Lacey — although top-ranked West Valley of Yakima is the favorite over No. 2 Seattle Prep. Eastside Catholic is ranked No. 5.

Magill and McLain would love nothing more than to see each other in the final again.

"If I was going to lose to anyone, I would want it to be her," Magill said. "I'd rather have it be someone I know I'm close to, because when we walk off the court, I know we're friends."

As difficult as it was to lose in the state final for the second time in three years (Eastside Catholic fell to Shadle Park of Spokane in 2008), and to lose to a Prep team the Crusaders had swept throughout the season, McLain could only give Magill and her teammates their due.

"Even though I wanted to win, they played so well, they deserved to win," she said.

Both players have Division-I college scholarships — Magill to Arizona and McLain to Boston College.

"Kam and Olivia are both very competitive and not afraid to get after it when they step on the court," Eastside Catholic coach Mike Bryant said.

Shannon Pratt, their club coach, echoed that, and provided a succinct description of how the players differ as well.

"When Kameron celebrates, she leaves your ears ringing, and when Olivia celebrates she leaves your hand stinging," she said.

Or your head.

McLain remembers getting smacked by a Magill kill during warm-ups at a club tournament.

"I think I had a concussion," she said with a laugh.

Their mothers are also friends and share a first name, although with different spellings (Stacy Levine is McLain's mom and Stacie Tangatailoa is Magill's mom). They agree that while McLain is generally seen as the more extroverted one, Magill is quite witty and loves practical jokes.

They bring out the best in each other.

"I know every time Kameron's going to go 100 percent and that just pushes me," said Magill.

This weekend, they hope to propel their teams into the championship match. And afterward, should it happen, amid one's cheers and the other's tears, two friends will share a compassionate embrace that leaves volleyball behind.

Sandy Ringer: 206-718-1512 or sringer@seattletimes.com