TAHOE CITY, Calif. – After losing multiple key players and the team’s head coach last season, the North Tahoe High School volleyball team defied expectations this season to win regionals.

“This season was really sold to me as a rebuilding year when I signed up for it,” new head coach, Shawn Bradley said, who has previously coached volleyball in Pennsylvania.

The team went beyond rebuilding and won the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association’s (NIAA) Class 2A Northern League Championship on Nov. 1, qualifying the team for state.

“We just had a great group of girls that vibed well together,” Bradley said, “and got it done.”

After having a first round bye, the Lakers beat Battle Mountain in a match that went all five rounds.

That moved the team to the league championship match against Yerington, a team that had become their rival after defeating the Lakers the three games prior.

North Tahoe redeemed themselves against Yerington, winning three straight rounds against the team to secure the League Championship.

It was a testament to their hard work, practice and dedication over this rebuilding season.

“Week to week, I saw them progressing, and playing better together as a team,” Bradley said, “which I think is what helped by the end of the season with us being able to upset Yerington.”

The following week, the Lakers arrived to Sunrise Mountain High School in Las Vegas on Nov. 7 for the State Semifinals. North Tahoe lost the semifinal to White Pine High School.

Despite the semifinal loss, Bradley says the team still views the season as a win and gives the team something to work towards next year with two lead killers and a leading digger returning next year along with a young setter.

“I fully intend for us to be back in states,” Bradley said, “and hopefully winning it next year.”