In a rough week at the net, the Husky volleyball team lost its final two regular season games to Molalla and Cascade finishing the season in fourth place.
“We had a down week, but boy we’ve been practicing well (for this week),” Coach Heide Nichol said.
On Tuesday, Molalla defeated the Huskies 20-25, 25-21, 25-11 and 25-20.
“The girls just came out really flat,” Coach Nichol said. “I think we realized we’re close to the end and felt the pressure…. I think they’re ready to compete now.”
Serving was poor all week, Coach Nichol said. Against Molalla, the Huskies missed 13 serves. Against Cascade, they missed 14, each one a point for the opponent under the new rally scoring rules.
Serving against Molalla, Lisa Brocard was 15-16 with four aces. Katie Reynolds was 14-15 with three aces. Lei Himan was 12-13 with two aces.
Hitting, Brocard was 21-24 with seven kills and two blocks. Ashley Horn was 13-16 with three kills and six blocks.
Teresa Lewis and Nicky Emmert did a good job setting, Coach Nichol said. Emmert set 20-22 in the final game against Molalla allowing Teresa to hit on the outside.
“I was really pleased with how well Nicky set that game,” Coach Nichol said.
On Thursday, Cascade won 25-20, 25-23 and 25-21.
“They’re a tough team,” Coach Nichol said. “I thought we played well, just not well enough to win. We led most games up to the midpoint. We just didn’t continue to push them.”
The girls played well offensively, Coach Nichol said, with some different players getting into the action.
Serving, Reynolds led 17-18 with six aces.
Hitting, Brocard was 18-24 with seven kills.
Ashley Smith had an excellent game, Coach Nichol said. She was 14-14 with five kills.
Elissa McCartin was 8-8 with three kills and two blocks. Horn was 8-10 with three kills and six blocks.
Again, Emmert and Lewis set “extremely well,” Coach Nichol said.
This week, the fourth-place Huskies started with a game on Tuesday night with the fifth place team, either Molalla or North Marion. The results of that game were not available at press time. The winner of that game will travel to Sisters in third place on Thursday. The winner of that game will go on to the first round of the state tournament, traveling to and facing the number two team in another league on Saturday. The winner of that game goes on to the main state tournament.
Stayton ended in first place followed by Cascade.
The Huskies hold a 4-6 league record.