State championships. Double elimination. Second contest, after losing the first.

Match point.

A hard return. At the net, the blockers bobbled it. The volleyball flew sideways, to the right. It was about to hit the floor.

And that was when Kendra Leeland made the dive of her life.

Every inch of her 5-7 frame stretched and stretched and stretched.

Every inch, from her tightly braided golden hair to the pink laces in her sneakers.

She dived sideways. And her fist connected with the ball.

She reached it!

But it was not to be.

The ball bounced off a chair and skidded away. In the same second, the scorekeeper lit the board with a 25.

Black-clad opponents leaped high, punching the air.

They were laughing. They were clapping. They were dancing.

They had won.

Naselle’s season was over.

And their captain was sobbing, climbing to her feet, her reddened face creased with anguish.

Naselle’s season was over.

Leeland’s career was over.

As she hugged her beloved teammate Ellie Chapman, both were swallowed into a bigger hug, all 14 girls and their coaches. It lasted several camera frames of frowns and tears. A family grieved a loss, together.

They detached themselves, stood shoulder to shoulder on the service line and applauded as junior Ashley Muessig was presented with the officials’ sportsmanship medal.

Then, without hesitation, the ladies of the Naselle High School Varsity Volleyball Team did what makes their coaches and parents so proud of them. They walked promptly to congratulate their victorious opponents, making eye contact, with low-five hand-slaps under the net. Smiling.

It is an action they have done only three times this season, twice against Ocosta, in Westport and then at home after a memorable 5-setter, and once earlier in the day. That last loss, in the Sundome at Yakima Friday morning, meant they could not become this year’s WIAA state champions whatever the outcome of their second match.

The line of blue and gold-clad girls snaked on to thank the referees, co-captain Taylor Eaton, ever polite, shaking one man’s hand then stepping back to wait for her turn to thank the second official rather than push through a tangle of her teammates’ arms.

For the record, Naselle had just been eliminated by losing two matches, both in three sets, at the WIAA state championships for the second consecutive year.

The tearful hugging resumed on the trudge to the locker room where four would peel off their drenched uniforms for the last time.

Quite why Naselle lost remains a mystery. The girls bounced up and down in their circular huddle and sang the Naselle fight song with the same joy as at the season-opener in the Ilwaco gym. Leeland directed her squad around the court like a kindly sergeant, as she has all season, Eaton set the ball with poise, as she has all season, fellow seniors Haley Footh and Emma Fauver played their part, as they have all season, ever-smiling Tayler Ford, back from injury, hustled throughout, as she has all season, junior Kyryn Jacot served well and received opponents’ serves, as she has all season, and high-leaping kill specialist Chapman proved girls can almost fly, as the junior has all season.

With six matches from three high school tournaments happening simultaneously in the early stages, Naselle played both its games in the center of the arena amid a booming roar of shouts and applause echoing around the dome.

The first contest against Oakesdale ended 25-11, 26-24, 25-10. Oakesdale was state 1B champions for three years in a row, then didn’t qualify last year. The strategy that would earn them the championship trophy was evident from the first powerful serve: score points early, dominate at the net, build a lead and never let opponents settle into their own style of play.

Naselle lost points early in the first set and never caught up. The Comets were in the second set as the scoreboard shows, but the well-focused farm girls hit back with power to win the third.

The second contest, against Neah Bay, ended 26-24, 25-23, 25-22. In the first set, Naselle came back from an 11-1 deficit to see the game tied at 22-22 before their opponents gained the upper hand. In the second, the Comets again came back, this time from being 14-7 behind. They even took the lead before the Red Devils got their groove back. The third was closer throughout, but Neah Bay prevailed, despite Leeland’s dive.

Amid her own emotions, Head Coach Kim Eaton looked for the right words.

“It’s a different level of play, not what they were used to,” she said, gesturing toward the noisy arena where other girls’ hopes remained alive. “In league and district, we don’t get as many opportunities to compete at higher level through the season.

“Their state play was not what we have seen them do — they have played better. But they prepared well. They have worked hard all season long, working their tails off, trying to fix the little mistakes. They went through league undefeated, and were district champions.

“I am proud of the girls for what they have done as a team for all the season.”

That feeling was reflected in the squad.

“We all worked hard and achieved our goals together,” said Fauver. “We played as a team and as a family.”

Footh agreed. “I am proud of us because we gave our all,” she said. “We are so much more of a team this year than we have ever been before. We really trust our teammates to have our backs as we have their backs.”

Ford, a junior, was carried from the Tumwater gym a week earlier; her ankle recovered. “If had not come back, I would have been here supporting them just as much as if I were playing. I am just really proud of everybody.”

Junior Raja Estes was positive. “We made it to state, won league and were district champions. We are winners, in my opinion.”

Taylor Gudmundsen earned a sportsmanship medal playing against the eventual state champions. “I was just happy to have the opportunity to play with such amazing seniors. They helped me grow so much.”

Like her, fellow freshman Lily Harman played JV then joined the varsity squad for the last five games. “I was really honored to be a part of this team of Naselle Comets,” she said.

Junior Kelly Langston loved belonging. “Being a part of the team is the best part — you’re part of a family, not just the team.”

Classmate Muessig said playing alongside the four seniors was “unbelievable.” “Today was kind of sad, but we didn’t fail. We won league and district, and made it to state. That’s all that matters.”

Amelia Tutu’u, a junior, called the day a “bittersweet moment.” “It’s been an amazing experience having the four seniors to look up to as role models. It’s sad to see them go, It’s hard to think that I will be the one who’s a senior next year. We are losing some good players, but we have some good freshmen. We will be back, better … we will still have a great team.”

Chapman will miss the seniors. “They have successfully kept us positive,” she said. “Next year, we are going to come back strong. We have had so many freshmen come in. Senior year should be good.”

Jacot looked ahead, too. “It’s been a great thing to be a part of, even though it’s sad today. We are going to win and do our best every chance we get.”

Hailey Weston, the freshman who played the most games, commended her coach and added, “It will not be the same without the seniors, but we will be back next year.”

Co-captain Taylor Eaton echoed the thoughts. “I couldn’t be prouder of the way we’ve ended. Obviously the games didn’t go the way we would have liked, but I am so blessed to be a part of this team. I can’t wait to watch these girls in the Sun Dome next year and following years.”

Leeland offered the last word.

“They are a great group of girls.” the leader said, her tears almost gone. “I am proud of the seniors, and all of the team.

“I was happy to make it to state. We were League and District champions.

“But the other teams here beat us fair and square.”

When the diving Leeland hit the floor, Naselle’s loyal boosters behind the court rose to their their feet, many crying, all applauding. Their fringed blue and gold hats would soon be discarded; their powder blue “believe” sweatshirts will be worn until they crumble.

Amid them, Kristi Leeland witnessed the final millisecond of her teenage daughter’s high school volleyball career with tears streaking Kendra’s No. 7 uniform number painted in blue and gold on her right cheek.

Above her, high above the bleachers, hung banners from the WIAA’s sponsors whose generosity helps student-athletes’ dreams come true. The one from the Western states’ most famous tire store shouted its slogan in foot-high letters.

“PRIDE IN PERFORMANCE.”