The Providence Classical Christian School, based in Kirkland, girls volleyball team made school history on Saturday, taking third place in the tri-district playoff games at Evergreen Lutheran School in Tacoma. The hard-fought battle in front of an exuberant crowd of fans guaranteed the Kirkland school a place at the state playoff games in Yakima this weekend.

Providence came focused and ready for action, besting tournament host team Evergreen Lutheran in a morning victory that assured them a place at the Sun Dome in Yakima for a second year in a row.

Although Providence lost its second game to Christian Faith of Federal Way, 2-3, they came back to beat Neah Bay, 3-1, in the evening. Co-captain Hailey Ferguson led the team with 21 kills and seven aces, followed by co-captain Katie Adair with 17 kills.

Junior setter Lauren Haft posted 24 assists.

“Our girls are doing a great job of rising to the challenges set before them. Each time they take the court they come out stronger than their last performance,” said assistant coach Lindsey Elliott. “This post-season has been such an exciting ride and if they continue on their current trajectory, their best is still to come.”

The third-place finish gives Providence a second seed for the state playoffs.

They begin play against Thorp-Easton at 1:30 p.m. at the Sun Dome on Nov. 13.