OLYMPIA – The White River Hornets were too much for the North Kitsap Vikings volleyball team sending the Vikings into the consolation finals Friday night.

The Vikings now face Pullman for a shot at fifth or sixth place in the State tournament. The Vikings are scheduled to play at 11 a.m. at Evergreen State College. The Hornets play Burlington-Ediison in the semi-finals at 1 p.m.

“Our goal was to win here, and we accomplished that – to some degree,” Vikings coach Tim French said.

The Vikings took their first State win in Program history after defeating the East Valley Wildcats 5-4 Friday morning. However, the team will need to improve on its defense, reduce hitting errors and position themselves on the court, French said.

Heading into the game against the Hornets, the Vikings were forced to deal with their own Megan Houser being pulled out of the game early after an injury against the Wildcats. Though there is no official injury report, it is believed she strained her calf muscle.

The Vikings second game against the Hornets began with three aces in the first match. The Hornets, up by more than five points, were on a roll, until North Kitap’s Jacquelyn Stenman sent out an ace of her own.

Keeping the pace on their side, North Kitsap’s Nicole Weber served three in a row, each time resulting in a Viking point. It wouldn’t be enough, as the Hornets finished the first match 25-17.

The second match began with the Vikings running ahead, but, after another Viking ace, the hornets picked up the pace once again. The Hornets ended the second match 25-20.

Though Vikings were down for almost the entire third match, which ended 25-19.

Though the Vikings are out of the running for a first place title, French said in a previous interview the team’s goal is to finish in the top eight.

“I couldn’t be more proud of them,” French said.

Check back for continued coverage as the Vikings take on Pullman Saturday.