Papermakers have learned lessons from a tough 2019; Columbia River (2A) and La Center (1A) are in RPI top 10, as well
They were automatic.
Or so it seemed.
The Camas Papermakers always made the state playoffs in girls soccer, right?
Well, not always. But in 14 of the previous 15 seasons, yes, Camas made it to the final 16 teams in the state.
Then it didn’t happen in 2019.
Then there was no state tournament in 2020.
It has been three years since the Papermakers last played in a state tournament, finishing second in 2018. In Camas soccer years, though, that has to feel like forever.
The 2021 squad is looking to return to state, hoping to claim the program’s third state championship. The Papermakers are also playing for last year’s seniors who did not get a chance to compete beyond that abbreviated, COVID season in early 2021. That team in the spring? It went undefeated.
The Papermakers are back, and they believe they have learned from the setback in 2019.
“We want to stay positive throughout the whole season,” team captain Maya Parman said.
Even during the down periods of a long season, the message is to keep encouraging teammates, maintain the focus.
This team has a chance to be special, the Papermakers believe.
And they do not want to relive 2019.
“It was just the disappointment of not making it as far as we wanted to,” Parman said. “That really fueled me. I was part of the team that made it to the state championship (in 2018). I didn’t play in that game, but that’s always been a dream of mine. That letdown in 2019 has fueled me and the rest of the team to make it this year, and make it all the way.”
The numbers suggest that Camas is right on track.
The Papermakers improved to 11-0 on Friday. They are No. 1 among Class 4A teams in the WIAA’s RPI rankings. Those rankings will help a committee seed the teams that do qualify for state.
“They’re a great group of young ladies. They work really well together,” said Keri Tomasetti, now in her third season as the head coach. “They have great spirit. I love their tenacity and their will and want to get through the season and win.
“They really feel like they are not only doing it for this year’s group, but for the group last season that was unable to go to state.”
To accomplish its goals, Tomasetti said, this team has had to learn from what happened in 2019.
The coach noted that her players train or play six days a week. There are times when there are three matches in a week. She recalled four matches in eight days.
“It’s exhausting, mentally and physically,” the coach said.
Every year, just about every team experiences a lull. It is how a team responds to that lull that can determine its destiny. Tomasetti said the 2019 team never really talked about how to handle the downturn. The team never recovered.
“We didn’t have the conversation of how badly do you want this. ‘You have to pull yourself out of it,’” Tomasetti said. “Now, we have those conversations.”
The coaches realize that not every day is going to be perfect. A tough training session could happen. A rough performance in a match could happen. But the teams that remain focused on the long-term goal, the players who keep a positive attitude, those are the ones who make it to the final day of the season.
“‘Yes, you’re going to be exhausted. You’re going to have days that you are not spot-on, and that’s OK. Come out here and work and reward yourself in the end,’” Tomasetti said. “That’s our hope.”
It helps to have a leader such as Parman who is a master at delivering a positive message. Typically, there are two or even three team captains. This year for Camas, just Parman.
Tomasetti said she noticed Parman’s personal skills back when Parman was a sophomore. Now as a senior, Parman has the perfect mentality to lead this group.
“The way she conducts herself around her teammates, and how kind she is, and how she just really wants to honor our system and honor our program,” Tomasetti said.
Parman is one who ensures that all players in the program, not just the varsity players, are part of the family.
“It was really special to me,” said Parman of being named the captain, adding that at times she thinks of herself as more shy than outgoing.
With this team, this family, something just clicks with her.
“It was really great to be recognized in that way,” Parman said.
Parman recalled her first practice this summer with the squad after she was named captain.
“It was different,” she said. “I had watched the captains before. I just tried to follow in their footsteps. It was weird at first, but it was exciting.”
Now, she has the opportunity to captain a team all the way through most of November. Should the Papermakers make it to state and keep winning, the championship match is scheduled for Nov. 21.
That is the goal for this season, to be playing in that match.
But Parman noted there is another goal with this team, as well. One that has nothing to do with wins or losses.
“We all enjoy being Papermakers. I’m very proud to be a Papermaker, and it’s a responsibility to represent your community, and we all do that really well,” Parman said.
Spoken like a true team captain.
Soccer RPI
As noted, Camas is No. 1 in Class 4A girls soccer Rating Percentage Index, a ranking provided by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association. This ranking does not necessarily mean the team is No. 1 in the state, but the RPI will help the seeding committee determine seeding for the state tournament once teams qualify for state.
Columbia River, meanwhile, is No. 6 among the Class 2A teams.
La Center is No. 6 in Class 1A.
Those are the only three teams from Clark County ranked in the top 10 in each classification.
Also read:
Camas senior grateful for opportunity to play for soccer for her school
