ELLENSBURG — The Bulldogs were doing everything right. They were diving for every ball, hitting hard and blocking attacks at the net. For once, they started fast, and they looked like an elite team.

Just not quite as elite as Selah.

The Ellensburg High School volleyball team had a pair of outstanding efforts, sandwiched around a mid-match swoon, but it wasn’t enough to avoid a sweep by undefeated Selah in the Bulldogs’ regular-season closer Thursday — 25-23, 25-16 and 25-17.

The Bulldogs’ emotions ran high on senior night, and the home crowd was raucous and enthusiastic with every point and defensive highlight — and there were plenty of the latter.

“Our defense was great tonight,” said head coach Josey Williams. “They were very scrappy.”

The Vikings, however, were more than just scrappy. The defending 2A state champions came to Ellensburg looking to complete a perfect season, and even a motivated Bulldog squad couldn’t stop them.

The Bulldogs came close, however, in the first game. EHS took a 21-20 lead in the game, but Selah charged back to win on a pair of unforced Bulldog errors. After the effort the Bulldogs had given in falling short, disappointment set in for the second game.

“We had a bit of a letdown after losing that first game,” Williams said. “We got timid.”

Selah opened a 9-1 lead in the second game, and the Vikings were on their way. The Bulldogs kept it close for most of the third game, but they ran out of steam down the stretch.

Bailey Carlson had four kills, one assist and five digs; Kim Kelly had 13 digs and 10 assists, and Kaitlin Quirk and Acacia Young each had three kills.

“Tonight proved we can play with Selah and they can be beat,” Williams said. “It just didn’t happen tonight, but I think we have the talent to do it.”

The Bulldogs begin district play Thursday at Grandview High School. The time and opponent are currently TBA, but after a disappointing showing in districts last year, the Bulldogs believe they have the talent to change that in 2009.

“We played like a team tonight,” said the senior Carlson. “If we play like we did tonight, we’ll be OK.”

THORP

Tigers head to playoffs after sweep

The Thorp High School volleyball team defeated Cascade Christian Academy in straight sets on senior night Thursday — 25-19, 25-10 and 25-12.

Morgan Lowery, the Tigers' lone senior, had seven kills, four aces and 19 digs. Kelsey Hutchinson led the Tigers with nine kills and 22 digs.

The victory capped an undefeated home season for Thorp, which will play Moses Lake Christian Academy in a first-round district game at Entiat High School at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

COWICHE

Warrior spikers end season with easy victory

The Cle Elum-Roslyn High School volleyball team ended its season on a high note, defeating Highland in a sweep Thursday — 25-23, 25-14 and 25-5.

The Warriors did not qualify for the district tournament.

Hailey Bator led the Warriors all-around with six aces, 24 assists, nine digs and three blocks. Kodi Jones was tops with nine kills.