Prep Volleyball Roundup: Mark Morris and R.A. Long unblinking in face of home losses
Jordan Nailon / blastzonenews@gmail.com
Mark Morris stays scrappy in loss to Spuds
The Monarchs took Ridgefield to extra point in the third set but still wound up falling in straight sets by scores of 25-14, 25-16 and 26-24 in 2A Greater St. Helens League volleyball action, Thursday, at home on Ted M. Natt Court.
“Tonight we lost to a great team,” Mark Morris coach Carmen Hewitt, “We did a lot of things well, and never gave up. We kept adjusting and improved each set.”
Alena Anderson led Mark Morris with six kills and four blocks, while Aliyah Yaple posted four kills, six digs and seven aces. Zoey Cole facilitated the offense with 16 assists and three kills. Alela McNeilly added seven digs on defense and Alexa Harrison passed at a 78 percent clip on serve receive.
“I was very impressed by our ability to stay scrappy and keep fighting,” Hewitt added. “Aliyah had a great night all around. Analiz (Birrueta) led us in a strong defensive effort that kept us alive.”
Mark Morris (2-3, 1-2 league) will play at Kalama on Monday at 6 p.m.
Hot start goes for naught in RAL loss to Hawks
Playing their first home match of the season the Lumberjills came out and won their first set in front of their red and black clad fans, Thursday, but dropped the next three rounds in a four-set loss to Hockinson by scores of 22-25, 25-18, 25-18 and 25-15.
“We started off so strong and had such a great defensive match,” R.A. Long coach Whitney Nailon said. “We struggled offensively but are working to put those pieces together.”
Jillian Woodruff led the hosts with eight kills and two assists. In the middle, Evelyn Ofstun posted 13 blocks, while Ryane Hayes posted five blocks and three aces.
Macy Graichen had five kills in the loss with eight digs, and Eve Huhta notched a team-high 15 digs for the Jills.
“Proud of Eve Huhta for stepping up on defense and of Ryane and Evelyn for showcasing what we are capable of on defense,” Nailon added.
R.A. Long (2-2, 1-2 league) will play at Columbia River on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Toledo digs out of a hole against Rochester
The Riverhawks had to climb out of an early deficit in order to earn a four-set victory over 1A Rochester in a non-league volleyball affair, Thursday, in Cheese Town. Toledo dropped a tight first set before rallying to take the match by scores of 23-25, 25-21, 25-19 and 25-19.
Ellie Fallon led Toledo with 19 kills to go with 13 digs and six aces. Abby Umbriaco added 17 kills with 16 digs in the Riverhawks’ first official victory of the season.
The win is all the more impressive when considering this season the Riverhawks feature just one returning starter after graduating seven seniors in the offseason. This year they have no seniors, just one junior, five freshmen and an 8th grader to fill out the roster.
In the early going Toledo has dropped tight matches with 1A Hoquiam and Raymond-South Bend, while losing its footing a little bit in a three-set loss to Mossyrock. The Riverhawks also managed to place fifth in a 12 team weekend tournament at South Whidbey.
“We are working hard at improving our passing game so that we can spend more time in-system incorporating our middles into the offense more,” Toledo coach Kelli Larson said. “These girls are young and eager to learn and I look forward to improving skills throughout the season.”
Playing on their home court, Brenna Carver tallied 16 digs and Taysia Miller turned in five aces to help down the Warriors.
Toledo (1-3) will play at Winlock on Monday for the Battle of the Cowlitz starting at 7 p.m.
Just The Scores
Camas 3, Kelso 1
Ridgefield 3, Mark Morris 0
Hockinson 3, R.A. Long 1
Columbia River 3, Woodland 0
Castle Rock 3, Fort Vancouver 0
Stevenson 3, Kalama 2
Toutle Lake 3, Mossyrock 0
Toledo 3, Rochester 1
Wahkiakum 3, WA Deaf school 0
Naselle 3, Mary M. Knight 0
Pope John Paul II 3, Three Rivers Christian 0
Clatskanie 3, Knappa 0
Corbett 3, Rainier 0