The Providence Classical Christian School girls volleyball team battled to victory over Thorp-Easton High School during its first round of competition at the state playoffs on Friday, but lost momentum in their bids to upset former rival Christian Faith of Federal Way and Sunnyside Christian, Sunnyside.

The Highlanders bested Thorp-Easton of central Washington, 3-1, at the Yakima Valley Sundome and advanced to the second round of play for the first time in PCCS volleyball history. But a strong Eagles offense took its toll. With some close sets to their credit, the Highlanders lost their final game to Sunnyside Christian.

Although disappointed, two talented seniors are looking ahead to college competition. Co-captain Katie Adair will play volleyball for Cedarville University in Ohio this fall, and co-captain Hailey Ferguson is considering an offer to play at Colorado Christian University in suburban Denver.

“All of us on the team are disappointed that our season had to end the way it did, but we made it farther than any team before us; we made history, and that’s something to be proud of,” said Ferguson, who is one of the team captains.

Meanwhile, the PCCS boys’ soccer team narrowly missed a slot in the state semifinals on Saturday after a 1-1 game against Crosspoint Academy from Bremerton ended in a PK “shootout.” The boys led most of the way but gave up the tying goal with less the one minute in the game.

“It was a tough loss after an even fought game, but through defeat we will only grow and become stronger,” said Joe Moisant, one of the co-captains of the team.

The Providence soccer team took first in state in 2010, second in 2011 and third in 2012.