Riding a tide that’s solidifying the Huskies chances at reaching state playoffs, the volleyball team defeated the Sisters Outlaws in three games at home Wednesday night last week to take an uncontested hold on third place.
The Outlaws and Huskies were tied for third going into the match. The Huskies defeated Sisters 15-2 to start the match decisively.
“I really feel like our first game was a really strong game,” Coach Heide Nichol said. “We didn’t give them a chance to do anything.”
The Outlaws climbed back into the match with a 15-9 win in the second game.
“They kind of woke up and decided they had better come to play,” Coach Nichol said. At the same time, Husky serving slipped and passing fell off.
The Huskies went into the third game trailing. Teresa Lewis sparked a Husky four-point rally to bring the Huskies within one, 12-11. After capturing a 14-13 lead, the teams traded sideouts, and Sisters managed a point. Mahria Zook finished out the match to serve the winning points.
In what was probably her best game statistically, Kara Howell led the Huskies hitting 23-25 and marking 10 kills.
“She’s always ready to hit,” Coach Nichol said.
Backing Howell were hitters Zook, 14-15 with nine kills; Stephanie Miller, 14-15 with seven kills; and Lisa Brocard, 11-14 with three kills.
Miller notched eight blocks. Brocard and Howell each had five.
Setting, Amanda Burcham was 47-53.
Serving, Lewis was 12-13 with an ace. Crystal Fowler was 11-11 with an ace. Howell was 11-12, and Zook was 10-12.
“It was an exciting game,” Coach Nichol said. “It was a very good win for us.”
As the season progresses, the Huskies will face progressively tougher teams, Coach Nichol said. Comng up Thursday night is Molalla, the second of the three teams that defeated the Huskies during the first half of the season. Against Molalla, the Huskies can win to tie for second, and next week they face “the big dogs,” the undefeated Stayton Eagles.
Monday night last week, the Huskies defeated Cascade 15-6 and 15-13.
“We let them back into it quite a bit,” Coach Nichol said of the second game. “They led most of the game, but we just never let go.”
Cascade has improved since the last time the two teams met, Coach Nichol said.
Setting, Burcham was 41-42.
Serving, Howell was 12-12 with five aces. Fowler was 12-12 with two aces. Burcham was 6-7 with an ace.
Hitting, Miller was 13-15 with four kills and four blocks. Zook was 8-11 with three kills and two blocks. Howell was 9-9 with a kill and two blocks.
Coach Nichol praised Katie Ives’ contributions on the court.
Ives plays at right and has great timing setting up blocks for the middle hitter, Coach Nichol said. She was 4-7 at the net with a kill and two blocks.
As the Huskies head for Molalla on Thursday, “I really feel like the girls are capable of having a win there,” Coach Nichol said.
The junior varsity placed sixth at a Corvallis tournament Saturday. The team split its first match with Crescent Valley, defeated Junction City in two and lost a close game to Estacada. The team ended up in the second round bracket, losing to South Salem, which went on to take the tournament.
Over the week, the Huskies defeated Cascade 15-9 and 15-11 but lost to Sisters 16-14 and 15-5.
The freshmen defeated Cascade 15-2 and 15-3. They defeated Sisters 15-9, 14-16 and 15-5.
Standings
Stayton 7-0
Molalla 7-1
Sweet Home 5-3
Sisters 4-4
Central 2-5
Cascade 2-6
North Marion 0-8.