Volleyball Back at NWAC Championships in Tacoma

TACOMA -- The Edmonds Community College volleyball team opens the 2017 NWAC Volleyball Championships bright and early Thursday morning on the fifth floor of the Tacoma Convention Center. The Tritons are pitted against the Walla Walla Community College Warriors at 9 a.m. in their opening round game. The Warriors (32-15) finished in third place from the East Region, and ended the season ranked No. 6 in the final NWAC Coaches Poll of the year. The two teams met once earlier this year at the Edmonds-hosted NWAC Crossover on October 21. Walla Walla took that three-set match, two games to one. Edmonds earned second place from the North with a 26-15 record, matching their win total from last year.

The NWAC tournament is nothing new for Tritons' coach Tony Miranda. Before his current stint as head coach at Edmonds, Miranda led the Bellevue College program to the playoffs in all four seasons he served as head coach (2001-2004). In 2002, Bellevue placed 3rd. He later joined the Tritons staff as an assistant, helping the team back to the tourney in 2006. In 2007 and 2008, as head coach -- the last time Edmonds qualified in back-to-back years -- Miranda guided his teams to NWACs, which included another 3rd place showing in 2008. This season marks the second straight year Edmonds will compete in the double elimination tournament.

(L-R): Lawrence, Magri, Dmitruk

In comparing this year's squad with last year's, Miranda believes team chemistry is much improved. "This is a team that plays for each other. They get along. They have gelled," he said. In September, Triton volleyball took a 10-day trip to Arizona and Nevada, competing against top NJCAA schools in two tournaments, which allowed the team to spend time together and bond. Miranda shared, "This team is both recruiting classes coming together. We are more athletic than last year and have better leadership."

The result and length of the Tritons' run in Tacoma will still come down to the basics. "For us to be successful we will need to defend, transition, serve, and pass well. We have to play complete volleyball," Miranda said. "We've had a good last week and a half of practice. This sport is emotional. When we are connected emotionally and they're ready, I feel confident about our chances of finishing in the top four."

NWAC All-Stars and the All-Academic team were announced at the banquet Wednesday night. Sophomores Sydney Lawrence (Pullman, Wash., MB), and Macy Magri (Fresno, Calif., S) both received 2nd-Team recognition. Freshman Michelle Dmitruk (Everett, Wash., OH) was awarded 1st-Team distinction. Lawrence and Magri also garnered All-Academic team honors, as well as fellow sophomore Chenoa Faletoi (Pago Pago, American Somoa).

The winner of Thursday morning's match will advance in the winner's bracket to face the winner of Pierce and Mt. Hood on Friday at 10 a.m. The loser will play again Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. against the Pierce-Mt. Hood loser. All tournament matches will be live streamed on the NWAC website.

Link to Live Stream | Link to Live Stats | EdCC Tritons Twitter | Championship Website | Bracket

Triton Tidbits
Michelle Dmitruk was honored for the second week in a row when she was named the NWAC Offensive Player of the Week... Dmitruk has been the North Region Offensive Player of the Week the last two weeks... she also leads the team in kills (273) and aces (40)... Macy Magri is tied for fourth overall in the NWAC for assists per set (7.89)... freshman Sam Fast (Oregon City, Ore.) leads the team in digs (204)... Sydney Lawrence leads the team in blocks (41)... other categories the team ranks in the top 10 of the NWAC are: sets played (4th), kills (9th), and hitting percentage (9th).