The Waterfront Café has long been hosting a wide range of benefit events for La Conner area residents, from the annual free Thanksgiving Day community feast to a dinner and auction fundraiser for an elderly local couple last Friday.

It was only fitting, then, that café owners Guy and Marla Vallee would honor another group of champions – the reigning La Conner High School state 2B volleyball title winners – with a Jan. 29 dinner celebration.

Members of the public were invited to stop by as well to offer congratulations to team members, who went undefeated in regular season league and non-conference matches and didn’t drop a single set at the state tournament in Yakima last November while capturing a third consecutive 2B crown.

The Waterfront Café staff stayed abreast of the team’s progress, in large measure because State 2B player of the year, junior outside hitter Ellie Marble, is part of the restaurant’s lineup.

“Ellie works for us when her schedule allows during our busier season between April and September,” Marla Vallee told the Weekly News. “We’re so impressed with her and her teammates, not just for their accomplishment to win the championship, but for who they are as individuals.”

In addition to preparing a most memorable meal, the Waterfront Café took further steps to assure it would be an unforgettable night for the team.

“Guy gave each team member and their manager a copy of the movie we made a couple years ago to always remember our wonderful town,” Marla Vallee said.

Head coach Suzanne Marble filled three roles at the event, as the state 2B coach of the year, as a parent and as photographer for the festivities.

She thanked the Vallees for making the celebration possible.

“They were amazing and truly made the girls feel special,” Marble told the Weekly News. “They provided the team with a great meal and made them feel like state champions again.”