The fall season has been a successful one for Orcas Island High School athletics, with multiple Viking teams and athletes earning their way to the state stage.
Boys soccer
by Declan O’Malley
Sounder contributor
Over the past week, the Orcas Island High School Vikings battled in the district tournament. The Vikes opened play on Nov. 4 with a 2–0 win over Providence Classical Christian.
“Tuesday was a tough match, and it’s playoffs now so every game is going to be a battle. I think a lot of us may have been a bit anxious before the game, and as the first half wore on, we may have played a little impatiently,” said Head Coach Terry Turner.
In the next match against Friday Harbor High School, played amid a tempest of wind and rain, the teams went scoreless through regulation and overtime before heading to a penalty kick shootout, where OIHS prevailed. That win sent the Vikings to the District Championship against Mount Vernon Christian.
In the championship match, OIHS fell to MVC but still earned the first seed to State, which is Nov. 14–15.
Cross Country
The Orcas Island High School Cross Country team capped off a strong season with an appearance at the WIAA State Championships, held at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco.
In the boys’ race, which featured 143 runners, two Orcas Island athletes represented the Vikings with solid performances on the state stage. Kai Park placed 51st overall, while teammate Kai Gilliam finished close behind in 55th place.
Volleyball
by Cienna Richardson
Orcas High School senior
The Lady Vikings volleyball team played Friday Harbor on Nov. 4, during the Vikings’ senior night. They beat the Wolverines 3-1 with a final box score of 25-13, 20-25, 25-20, 26-24. Then the Vikings punched their ticket to the WIAA 2B State Volleyball Tournament after a strong showing in the District 1/2 Tournament, clinching a berth as the No. 16 seed.
Orcas opened postseason play with a 3–0 sweep over Auburn Adventist at La Conner High School before falling to top-seeded La Conner, 3–0. The Vikings rebounded in the consolation bracket, defeating Forest Ridge, 3–0, at Coupeville High School to secure their spot at State.
Orcas now heads to Yakima’s SunDome on Nov. 12, set to take on a top-ranked opponent in the opening round. The team will play the Rainier Mountaineers and the winner will advance.
“I want to recognize my assistant coaches Nikki Hawley has stepped up as the Assistant Varsity coach and the JV coach and she has been invaluable. Nikki, along with Lisa Rios, Hank Date, and Katie Spinner bring a fresh perspective, steady support, and help our athletes feel seen and valued. Go Vikings!” said head coach Mallory Balcomb.
