The Centralia Panthers returned to the state championship game in Class 1A DI for the second consecutive season to face the Little River Redskins. Unfortunately, the Panthers were dominated in straight sets and finished as the state runner-up. Little River is now the four-time defending state champion. 

Centralia won their semi-final against South Gray in a straight set sweep, 25-14 and 25-23. Centralia got up early in set one, 8-0 over South Gray and propelled the set one starting momentum into a set win of 25-14. Set two was a battle back and forth with South Gray taking a late lead 15-13, before Centralia tied it up at 15-15. Centralia and South Gray would be tied one more time at 20-20 right before the Panthers would run away with set two, 25-23. Maylayna Becker led the Panthers with 11 kills against South Gray while Josie Haverkamp had four kills and two blocks. 

Little River would go on to win the state championship over Centralia 25-12 and 25-17. With set two being knotted up in the middle, 13-13, but Little River would make a quick adjustment and carry on momentum, scoring 12 out of the next 16 points. Josie Haverkamp still had an impressive match against Little River despite the loss, with six total blocks against them. 

The Centralia Panthers graduate two seniors and will be set to return seven seniors for next season’s campaign, and will definitely be a top contender for another chance to win the state 1A DI title in 2026. 

Centralis finished 2025 35-11 and as the Class 1A Dl Runner-up.