After winning one of its first six league matches, it appeared Lower Columbia College was going to be a spectator and not a participant in the volleyball postseason. But the Lady Devils found new life in the second half of their schedule by winning nine of their last 12 matches and a league tiebreaker to qualify for the NWAACC Volleyball Championships.

“One of our goals this season was to make the tournament, but it wasn’t an easy road early on,” LCC coach Marcy Gilchrist said. “The girls always had it in their minds, and now they’ve achieved that goal and will have to re-evaluate their goals.”

The Lady Devils (20-22) meet fifth-ranked Bellevue (28-8) in the tournament’s opening round at 9 a.m. Thursday at Mount Hood College in Gresham. The tournament continues Friday and Saturday, concluding with the title match at 6:30 p.m.

A large part of the Lady Devils’ recent success has been a quicker adaptation of their practice regimen into their match play.

“We’re starting to put it together,” said Gilchrist, who was named the Western Division Coach of the Year. “In the past, our adjustments weren’t happening until the third game of a match. Now, we’re adjusting after the first timeout and it’s making a big difference.”

LCC’s offense begins with freshman Lavinia “Lala” Latu, who earned Western Division co-Player of the Year honors with 137 kills, 358 assists, 126 digs and 44 ace serves. Freshman outside hitter Taofi Sanft earned Western Division second-team kudos with 129 kills and 120 digs, and sophomore middle blocker Cassie Koering was named to the honorable mention team with 127 kills, 21 solo blocks, 29 block assists and 21 aces.

Sophomore Tarin Bond has 284 digs and recently earned all-NWAACC Defensive Player of the Week honors, and freshman Jessica Warthen has dished 79 assists. Also on the frontline, Theresa Mott has made 88 kills and 16 block assists, Lacey Flatz has 81 kills and 21 aces, Sara Jespersen has 62 kills, 22 block assists and 13 solo blocks, and Rachael Fair has 51 kills.

Rounding out the team are defensive specialists Keisa Tsuda and Taylor Beck, and setter Nichole Williams.

Like LCC, the Bulldogs are riding a recent wave of success into the tournament after having won five straight matches and 19 of their 22 outings.

“They have an explosive outside hitter and a strong right-side hitter who’s a left-hander,” Gilchrist said. “She’s their go-to girl, so our blocking and defense will have to be spot-on.”

Sophomore outside hitter Savannah Fiest leads the team with 198 kills and was named Northern Division Player of the Week four times, with right-side hitters Heidi Bell (120 kills) and Danielle Rehm (115 kills) providing strong support.

Patti Reeves, a six-time Division Player of the Week and three-time all-NWAACC Player of the Week, has made 264 digs. Veronica Wetzel has dished 239 assists, and Marissa Fujimoto has added 194.

“They’re very consistent and we’ll have to match their consistency,” Gilchrist said. “We’re either on or off, but if our defense is there and our offense stays consistent, we’ll be able to compete. I’d like to walk away with a victory in the first round and send a message that we belong at the tournament.”

IF YOU GO

Mt. Hood College is located at 26000 SE Stark St. in Gresham. Take I-5 south and merge onto I-205 in Hazel Dell. Cross the Columbia River into Oregon and take Exit 22 onto I-84 and go east. Take Exit 16 (238th Drive) and go right. 238th Drive turns into 242nd Drive, and follow it until you get to Stark Street. Go left on Stark and the college will be on the right.

Daily tickets are $6 for adults on Thursday, and $8 on Friday and Saturday. Students, seniors ages 60 and older and military members are $5, and children ages 7-12 are $3 each day. Children ages 6 and younger are free. Three-day tournament passes for adults are also available for $18.