LYNDEN — Lakewood coach Tasha Kryger knew that her team would have to be at its best to make it through the gauntlet that is the District 1 volleyball tournament.

But with a 3-2 loss vs. Mount Baker, Nov. 3, the Cougars ended an impressive season, which finished three wins away from state.

“We had an incredible season,” said Kryger. “These girls did everything that was asked of them and really set the foundation for this program.”

With three of the eight tournament teams ranked in the top 10, and only three state berths allocated, the Cougars had little room for error, especially when facing Lynden in their first match.

The Cougars had another chance to save their season in the double-elimination tournament after being swept by the Lions, but needed to take down Mount Baker.

Lakewood came out winning the first set 25-19 before dropping the second (24-26). The Cougars then took the third before losing the fourth and eventually the match-deciding fifth, 8-15.

“I felt we had more weapons than them, but it just came down to emotions,” Kryger said.

The match was not without its moments for the Cougars, who saw a pair of school records either met or passed, starting with Samantha Adams, who broke a school record with 48 assists against Mount Baker, she finished with 61 over the two matches. Also, Hayley Liebel tied her own school record with 22 kills against the Mountaineers. She finished with 29 over two matches.

Brittany Parmentier had 18 kills over the two matches and Allie Hernandez finished with 26 digs.

The Cougars carried nine seniors on their roster this season, which Kryger said have all been working toward this year to make their mark, finishing 12-6 on the year and in third place in the Cascade Conference.

Lakewood’s seniors included Adams, Jesika Bowman, Megan Eby, Hernandez, Liebel, Natalie Raymond, Lauryn Smith and Jordan Wessell.