EPHRATA — The Ephrata Varsity volleyball team lost two seniors to graduation last year and brings 2023’s junior-heavy group into the new season.

Last year’s Tiger squad won 12 of its first 15 games, including wins against Omak, Quincy, Othello, East Valley (Yakima), Grandview, Prosser and Selah. Losses over that stretch included Pullman in the season-opener, Cashmere and Ellensburg, who swept the Tigers last season. 

After falling to the Bulldogs in the regular season finale, Ephrata finished in second place of the Central Washington Athletic Conference standings; the Tigers went 2-1 in districts, the lone loss coming yet again to the Bulldogs in the championship game. 

Ephrata reached the 2A State Volleyball Tournament last season, leaving with a seventh-place finish; the Tigers fell to Ridgefield in the opener, then defeated Washington, Shadle Park and Black Hills to cap off the year with three straight wins. 

    Ephrata finished last season with a 17-6 record.