Playing for their postseason lives, Grays Harbor College came out on the wrong end of the final night of volleyball on Wednesday, Nov. 9, in Des Moines.

Against the eventual NWAC Western Division champions Highline, the Chokers played one of their best matches of the season, but fell at the end, 22-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-16.

The loss for GHC ends its season at 8-6 in the NWAC West, 20-19 overall — one of its best overall seasons in recent memory — and one game out of the postseason.

“Everyone came to play,” GHC head coach Christine Nelson said. “This was the best team I’ve had, by far. We played together, played like a family tonight. It just didn’t end like we wanted it to end. We had to win or we were done. It was out of our control.”

Highline and Lower Columbia were tied for first in the division, while GHC, Tacoma and Pierce were tied for third. Only the top-four teams move on to the NWAC Championships in Tacoma. The Chokers finished in fifth overall.

Sophomore Bria Buchanan finished with 12 kills and four blocks and sophomore Lexi Fetui led all hitters with 15 kills. Brooke Spoor added eight kills and three blocks, Leleo Maeva seven kills and Diamond Jackson four blocks.

Megan Gibson dished out 25 assists and Sara Caraveo added 16 assists, with Sierra Cummings bringing up 25 digs.

Unfortunately, the Chokers finished with 15 service errors. “They had 10 service errors as well; everyone struggled,” Nelson added.

“We played really well,” Nelson added. “Both setters played outstanding and we blocked the heck out of them. It was an outstanding match.”