The two-time defending state champion La Conner High School volleyball team is already laying the foundation for a post-COVID fall net campaign.

La Conner players did so by sweeping a traditional cornerstone event – the Burlington-Edison Invitational Summer Tournament – in late July.

The Lady Braves, limited to a shortened, primarily NW2B spring schedule because of pandemic restrictions, made the most of their opportunity to match up at Burlington opposite teams from larger enrollment schools.

La Conner defeated Nooksack Valley, Glacier Peak, Lynden Christian and host Burlington-Edison in successive contests.

“We really played as a team,” La Conner head coach Suzanne Marble said afterward. “There were moments when you could tell we haven’t played in a while, but more moments of playing together and competing.”

Senior setter Emma Keller fueled the attack. She succeeds 2019 All-State selection Justine Benson.

With the regular 2020 season cancelled due to COVID-19, Keller’s transition to the role begins in earnest this fall. She excelled in the brief spring season and continued that trend at the tourney, Marble said.

“She took over the setting responsibilities after Justine graduated for basically the first time in her career,” said Marble, “as our season was cut short with not a lot of preparation.”

Junior outside hitter Ellie Marble, coming off a club season that saw her compete in national trials at Las Vegas this summer, provided steady and strong play at the net – both offensively and defensively – at Burlington.

La Conner advanced through tourney pool play without losing a set, including its win over 4A Glacier Peak, setting up a tense final round test with B-EHS.

After Burlington-Edison captured the opening set, La Conner rallied to win the second set to tie the match, setting up a decisive third frame.

“When we won the second set,” said coach Marble, “that gave us confidence going into the third set.”

It proved to be a back-and-forth affair featuring five match points before La Conner posted a 17-15 triumph.

“The most rewarding part of the day was not winning the tournament,” Marble said, “but being able to be in a gym and coach my players again. They had a great day together. It was a challenging day physically as we only had two subs.

“They’ve not had to work like that in a long time,” she added, “(but) they will be volleyball conditioned when the season starts.”

Speaking of the 2021 season, Marble is hopeful Burlington-Edison can be added to La Conner’s non-league schedule.

“We’re planning a match against Burlington this upcoming season,” Marble said, “in what the WIAA (Washington Interscholastic Activities Association) has approved as an additional match called a foundation match.

“We’re looking forward to this opportunity,” said Marble. “It’s always a fun battle as we see Burlington in summer league.”

All opportunities will be valued this fall with players and coaches still mindful of the scuttled 2020 season.

A year ago, La Conner would have been aiming for a third straight State title, having captured 2B net crowns in 2018 and 2019.

Expectations will be high again in 2021.

“We have a very veteran team,” Marble stressed, “with a lot of strong players.”