Overlake’s volleyball squad won its third consecutive Emerald City League Tournament title and is set for the 1A state tournament on Nov. 15-16 at the Yakima SunDome.

The Owls (21-1 overall and 14-0 in league) will begin the tourney with a 1:30 p.m. match on Nov. 15 against King’s Way Christian. The Owls are ranked seventh in 1A, according to the MaxPreps site.

Leading the way with some stellar regular-season statistics for head coach Mindy McGrath’s squad are senior Marusia Levanidova with 171 kills and 39 digs; sophomore Diya Mishra with 132 kills, 63 aces, 39 digs and 26 blocks; junior Sydney Goad with 301 assists, 85 aces and 40 digs; and freshman Ryma Patil with 53 digs.

Overlake, which defeated Seattle Academy three sets to one to claim the ECL tourney crown, advanced to state by possessing a “strong core, excellent leadership across the entire team, true understanding of commitment to a team,” McGrath said.

As the Owls hit the court for practices this week before traveling to Yakima, McGrath said they’ll continue to focus on fundamentals and controlling the facets of the game that are within their grasp.

The message that McGrath conveys to her squad each day is the “importance of not being afraid to make mistakes. How we respond to adversity is what will make us stronger,” she said.

From her view in the coach’s spot, McGrath likes what she’s seen on the team’s flexibility, depth and volleyball IQ front. To expand on the team’s versatility, the Owls continuously switched their lineup after each set until the last week of the regular season.

Every player contributed to a massive moment for the Owls this season. Everyone is valued on and off the court and selflessness is the key to a team’s success, McGrath said.

“My favorite moment was when one of our players got a kill and immediately turned to the bench to give credit to the voices collaborating and calling an open spot,” McGrath said.