After her team captured the Class 4A state volleyball championship last Saturday, Auburn Riverside coach Chris Leverenz reflected on the Ravens’ first title three years ago.

As parents gathered to take pictures on that occasion, Camden Heilborn and Brianna Ingram joined the photo with a promise to Leverenz that they would guide Auburn Riverside to another state championship.

“We’re going to take a picture of the trophy because we’re going to do this again,” Leverenz said the players told her.

They did not need to wait that long as the Ravens secured their second state title in program history with a 25-21, 25-13, 25-18 win against Mead at the Toyota Center in Kennewick.

Heilborn and Ingram, both of whom were sixth-graders when Auburn Riverside won the 3A championship in 2013, played significant roles in the Ravens’ playoff success this year. An injury to senior setter Lauren Smith forced Heilborn into the starting lineup in Kennewick.

That enabled her to team with older sister, Calley, a junior, who had 18 kills in the championship match while Anna Maracich added 13. That production helped the elder Heilborn earn tournament MVP honors. In addition to her play, Leverenz praised Heilborn’s leadership, adding that she created a positive atmosphere by keeping “everything light.”

“From the get-go with Eastmont, they just kept playing comfortable,” said Leverenz, referring to a 25-18, 25-15, 25-9 win in the first round. “They focused and had their game faces on. You could feel it from the beginning.”

Auburn Riverside, which finished with a 23-1 record, advanced to the championship by defeating a pair of teams it beat during last week’s West Central/Southwest bi-district tournament: Auburn Mountainview and Bellarmine Prep. The Ravens won against their city rival for the fourth time this season with a 26-24, 25-18, 29-27 victory. They then beat the Lions 25-19, 26-24, 21-25, 25-22.

“You hate seeing someone for the second, third or fourth time because you never know,” Leverenz said. “They know your tendencies and weaknesses. We didn’t go into any of those matches overconfident.”

Heilborn said the experience at district helped prepare her team for state.

“I definitely think it helped when we won district to give us confidence into state,” she said. “We believed in ourselves more.”

Leverenz said there was not one area where the Ravens lagged on the court, which is important because many of the state’s top teams possess powerful outside hitters.

“My defense was amazing with Clarice (Buchanan) and Kaytlyn (Heaslip),” Leverenz said. “They just kept digging and digging.”

And when it came time to set up the offense, Leverenz said junior setter Ciera Zimmerman continued to perform. Zimmerman had 32 assists and 10 digs during the title match.

“Ciera delivers Calley the ball every time,” she said. “She ran a phenomenal offense all week.”

Heilborn shared similar sentiments.

“She’s an incredible setter,” she said, referring to Zimmerman. “We connect so well together.”

For Leverenz, it was refreshing because she did not feel her team played well during the previous week even though it won the district title.

“After last weekend, we talked about how we knew we had more,” she said. “We knew we had to come out confident and not be nervous. We made sure we trusted the process and the work we put in.”

Afterward, Heilborn said she was excited to celebrate with her younger sister. Now, all three Heilborn sisters have won a state championship at Auburn Riverside after Carson, a freshman at the University of New Mexico, accomplished it in 2013.

“It was such an incredible experience to share it with my little sister,” Heilborn said. “I love her so much.”

For Zimmerman, the title was the culmination of a long journey. Beginning as an eighth-grade student at Christian Faith School in Federal Way, Zimmerman played varsity volleyball. In the 1B state tournament, her school placed second in 2013 and third in each of the last two seasons. Zimmerman, a Colorado State commit, transferred into the Ravens’ program this year.

“It was just such an amazing experience to finally have the first-place trophy,” she said. “It’s such an accomplishment, and now I can take a deep breath.”

She credited Buchanan, Maracich and others for helping her adjust to playing stiffer competition in a much higher classification.

“I felt that chemistry was the reason we were able to win the state tournament,” Zimmerman said. “Winning with all of my best friends – it was amazing to share that moment.”

Leverenz said that camaraderie is one reason for the program’s ability to sustain success.

“I’m humbled and blessed to be in a community that supports me, the program, and what we’re trying to accomplish,” she said. “There’s a community atmosphere that we’re trying to raise these kids together. I’m beyond blessed, and I recognize that every single day.”