Auburn Mountainview ended its season Friday with a two-match appearance at the state Class 3A volleyball tournament at St. Martin’s University in Lacey.

The Lions (21-7) opened up the tourney with a 3-1 loss to Shadle Park (23-6). Game scores were 25-22, 25-19, 26-28 and 25-19.

In the consolation bracket at Timberline High School, the Lions lost 3-1 to Kennedy Catholic (22-7). Game scores were 25-23, 25-21, 24-26 and 25-22.

“It was hard not finishing as high as we could have finished, but the reality is that in the finals you can’t get away with not bringing 110 percent,” coach Nicole Claudon said. “Maybe it was nerves, maybe it was just an off day, but I know that if we played those teams again, the outcome would be different.”

Claudon continued:

“I’m proud of the girls for their hard work all year long, and how we finished doesn’t take away any of that,” she said. “They deserved to be there, and I hope they can remember that it was a great run! As a player, I experienced what they went through – losing out on the first day of state. As a coach, I felt a little bit of what parents probably feel, wanting to protect the seniors from that feeling. It was hard to see them go through that, but I know the younger girls now understand the sense of urgency they need to have at the State tournament. We’re going to miss our six seniors, but we’re already planning for next year.”

The state appearance was the ninth straight for the Auburn Mountainview program. The Lions won the South Puget Sound League 3A title this season.