Naselle earned the fifth-place trophy at the 2021 WIAA 1B state volleyball championship in Yakima. Back row, left to right, Head coach Rebekah Wirkkala, assistant coach coach Kayti Updike, Amera Larson, Kayli Wirkkala, Nicole Steenerson, Lauren Katyryniuk, Delaney Kragerud, Kaylin Shrives, Brynn Tarabochia, Bella Colombo and assistant coach Hanna Higginbotham. Front, left to right, manager Mylinh Schell, Gladys Wilson, captain Peyton Dalton, Morgan Reitz, Mia Watson, Echo Cenci, Haley Eastham and manager Anii Laine.

YAKIMA — Naselle ended a magnificent 1B state championship run with a fifth-place trophy.

Chants of “Comet Power” rang out through the Sun Dome as the trophy was presented and team photos taken.

Coach Rebekah Wirkkala said at the state tourney previous records mean nothing. “At state, all bets are off. It’s will and mental toughness,” she said.

The Comets beat Mary Walker School in a tense 5-set match with scores of 25-20, 21-25, 20-25, 25-21, 15-11.

Naselle had advanced to the 5th and 6th-place trophy round of the 1B WIAA state championships with win over Neah Bay 25-17, 15-25, 17-25, 25-17, 15-11.

Read all about the squad’s sometimes topsy-turvy state run in Wednesday’s edition of the Chinook Observer.

• Raymond lost its semifinal and was to play Manson for third or fourth place.