Naselle junior Gladys Wilson (21) prepares to serve against Columbia Adventist Academy last week.

NASELLE — Naselle’s volleyball team will play in the WIAA 1B state tournament, which begins Thursday.

The Comets placed second in Saturday’s District tournament, losing 3-1 to Mossyrock in the championship match at Montesano. Both teams had won earlier matches and were already assured of a trip to Yakima.

The Comets had warmed up Thursday by beating Columbia Adventist Academy in three sets at home. At Montesano, Naselle defeated the Taholah Chitwhins in three sets, setting up the finale with the Vikings. Earlier in the season, Naselle lost twice to Mossyrock; one match went to five sets, the other four.

At District, Mossyrock also defeated Willapa Valley, in three sets. Valley players bounced back with their own three-set win over Taholah to secure their place at state. They had survived two earlier loser-out matches, defeating Oakville 3-0 and then Pe Ell 3-1 to advance to District. The fourth regional team advancing to state from Saturday’s action was Columbia Adventist, which defeated the Mary M. Knight Owls and then fell to Valley in three sets. The Kodiaks triumphed in three loser-out contests last week.

Naselle’s success earned the Comets the No. 4 seed at Yakima, where they placed fifth last year. They will play 1:30 p.m. Thursday in the Sun Dome against the winner of a match between the Adventist team and Moses Lake Christian.

If they win that contest, they would play the winner of a matchup between Liberty Christian and Odessa. A loss would drop them into a loser-out bracket, but still with a chance of a trophy. Both match slots would be at 8:15 p.m. Thursday night.

No. 1 seed Oakesdale, which beat Mossyrock in last year’s championship game, is unbeaten. The Nighthawks have won all 18 of their matches without dropping a set.

Willapa Valley plays 8 a.m. Thursday in a loser-out match against Grace Academy, with the winner playing No. 2 seed Mossyrock.