Above: North Kitsap competes against Liberty Nov. 8 during the District III Championship match. North Kitsap won 3-0 over Liberty. —Photos by Harry McConnell.

TACOMA — Nov. 8 was a milestone day for the North Kitsap Vikings volleyball team.

The varsity players finished the District III Tournament unbeaten, earning the No. 1 seed to State and the championship trophy. It is the first time in program history the team has won the District III championship and earned the top seed to State, according to head coach Tim French.

“The girls displayed so much versatility and perseverance it’s hard to describe,” French told the Herald. “I’ve never been more proud as a coach.”

The Vikings won 3-0 over Washington Nov. 7 in the first round. They finished the day with a 3-0 win over Steilacoom.

In the semifinals, North Kitsap defeated Fife 3-2. French said the match against Fife was “more of a championship match” than the final.

The Vikings finished the tournament with a 3-0 win over Liberty.

Team leaders during Districts included: Briar Perez (53 kills, 10 blocks, 93 percent serving); Bri Duchemin (47 kills, 22 digs, 94 percent serving); Mareena Clotfelter (99 assists, 39 digs, 98 percent serving); Molly Lemmon (59 digs, 96 percent serving); Sarah Holt (47 digs, 98.3 percent serving); Autumn Johnson (39 assists).

The team’s serving was 95.5 percent during Districts, according to French.

The Vikings are 20-0 so far this season.

The Vikings now prepare for the 2A State Tournament, which begins Nov. 14 at Pierce College in Tacoma. The Vikings and Lakewood face off in the first round at 9:45 a.m. The Vikings will face either Woodland or East Valley in the quarterfinals the same day.

The semifinals and championship matches will be played Nov. 15.