The North Tahoe volleyball team bounced back after a mediocre start to win the three straight elimination matches and capture the championship at the Lassen Tournament on Saturday.

North Tahoe head coach Tom LeFevers said all his team needed was a little pep talk to boost its confidence after the slow start. The Lakers also benefited from a strong dose of senior leadership from Lexie Courcier and Iren Rojas, he said.

and#8220;I talked to the team just before we started and told them they were capable of winning it all. They just had to believe,and#8221; LeFevers said.

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After entering the championship round in third place in their bracket, the Lakers defeated host Lassen, 26-24, 19-25 and 16-14, to advance to the semifinal match against Quincy, which they also dispatched in three games, 12-25, 25-17 and 15-10, to move on to the championship match against Westwood.

The Lakers fought hard and came away with a win in three, 25-23, 22-25 and 15-11, to earn the championship.

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and#8220;I am extremely proud of how the team came together and persevered to the end, paying off with smiles and a trophy at the end,and#8221; LeFevers said. and#8220;This is a case where the whole team contributed to the win and#8212; from those on the court to the active participation of those on the bench.

and#8220;Without the whole team completely involved we would not have won.and#8221;

Courcier, an outside hitter, and senior libero Heidi Jimenez both were voted by opposing coaches to the All-Tournament Team for their performances.

The Lassen Tournament came on the heels of a Mount Rose League match against South Tahoe last Thursday in which the Lakers lost in three, despite playing well, LeFevers said.

South Tahoe won the match in three games, 25-19, 25-21 and 25-13. Courcier finished with four kills and three aces, while Taylor Briggs had six blocks. Jimenez made a huge impact in the match as well, LeFevers said, digging and#8220;too many balls to countand#8221; while passing and#8220;wonderfully.and#8221;