The season ended for the Wahkiakum Mules volleyball team March 17 when they lost to the Toutle Lake Ducks in the second round of the district tournament.

The Lady Mules lost in four sets, 24-26, 17-25, 25-19, and 20-25.

“My girls battled a tough Toutle team tonight,” Coach Kayli Hurley said, “But we just didn’t find a way to get it done. We definitely had some bright spots and never rolled over. The Mules kept fighting until the very end, so I’m proud of them for that.”

Standouts for Hurley were libero Reigha Niemeyer, who passed a majority of the team’s serve receive balls for a 2.3 average and had 14 digs; Jansi Merz, who had 16 kills, two stuff blocks, and served two aces; Megan Leitz, who had six kills; Nalani Schultz and Teylor Sauer, who added five kills apiece; and setters M.J. Neves and Courtney Carlson, who had 19 and 13 assists respectively.

“Jordyn Watson was steady all around, as always,” Hurley said. “A huge shoutout needs to go to our bench. No matter who is on the bench at any given time, we can rely on their fire, energy and positivity as a source of strength.”

Hurley will miss coaching the nine seniors who just finished their final season of high school volleyball.

“Watching them grow into wonderful teammates, athletes, and young women has been an honor,” she said. “I look forward to their younger teammates upholding their legacy moving forward.”