Klickitat rising to the top of 1B
ANDREW CHRISTIANSEN
Reporter
The much anticipated match between Klickitat and Bickleton volleyball teams turned into a surprisingly easy three set sweep for the Vandals, 25-12, 25-11, 25-20. The third game gave a hint of what could have been, but Bickleton mistakes and the constant barrage from Samantha Brewer kept the Pirates off-balance throughout the first two games putting Bickleton into a deep hole for the match that wouldn’t be salvaged with a close game.
From the opening minutes, it was apparent that Klickitat was going to play like a well-oiled machine. Pass, set, kill. Brewer dominated the net, pounding hard shots to the Pirate’s middle. The Pirates were on their heels, capable only of soft returns that set Brewer up for more hard shots.
Kali Fargher directed the action for Klickitat, diversifying the attack with outside sets to Martisha Woodall and assisting finess shots from Zoe Lindner. When the defense braced for Brewer, they were treated to a Fargher blast or dink shot to a gaping hole on the line.
Instead of firing bullets at the Vandals, the Pirates’ big gun, Katelyn Clinton found herself diving for balls from one side of the court to the other.
Another team might have fallen by the wayside in game three, but this was Bickleton’s floor and they weren’t about to cede anything to Klickitat.
Clinton began to get the best of Brewer in game three and the team was reenergized. The action was back and forth until the game stood tied at 13.
Then Fargher, the only senior on either team, found a hole in the defense and served up a 21-14 lead. The Pirates closed to 24-20 before losing the final point on a net serve.
All three games ended on Pirate serves that found only net. It was a disappointing night for Bickleton who hopes to rebound this week with league matches on the road at Sunnyside Christian on Tuesday, and TLG on Friday, at Glenwood.
Sunnyside Christian has lost matches to Klickitat, TLG, and Bickleton in the past week. They will be looking to heal wounds with Pirate blood when Bickleton visits a very hostile gym.
TLG vs SSC
TLG squeeked by the Knights in five games on Friday, 25-19, 20-25, 25-22, 17-25, 16-14. Audrey Hill saved the night for TLG, diving for a bad pass, allowing the final game to be tied at 14. Veronica Glenn served up the final two points for the 16-14 win. Liz Vogt had 13 kills, Glenn had five aces, and Julia LaVallie scored on six kills.
TLG vs Bickleton
TLG and Bickleton match up well for Friday night. Whereas Klickitat is a stronger version of the same team that was seventh in state last year, TLG and Bickleton are teams that have a great deal of potential, and are trying to build consistency and a winning attitude. They also have the intriguing match-up of two big, front line players, with fellow sophomore, Vogt lining up opposite Clinton.
Bickleton vs Riverside Christian JV
Earlier, last week, Bickleton defeated Riverside Christian JV in a match that Coach Kim Clinton admits was not played well. Serving just 81 percent, Bickleton managed 25-20, 25-11, 25-21 victories. Coach Clinton is looking for more consistency on serves and passes for Tuesday’s match against SSC.
Bickleton vs TCP
The Pirates claimed the second place trophy at the Tri-Cities Prep tournament on Saturday, providing a whole lot of healing. They earned the trophy by defeating Sunnyside Christian (a first in school history) 27-25 and 25-19, and Waitsburg-Prescott 26-24, 25-21. Clinton had 14 kills and 12 blocks for the tournament, and McBride was 45 of 50 on serves. TCP won their tournament with 25-8, 25-18 wins over Bickleton
Klickitat
As for Klickitat, they have just one challenge left in the league. They played TLG in a non-league match in Klickitat on Tuesday and will play at Lyle on Oct. 14. The second round of league play begins with Bickleton visiting on Oct. 17.
A culture of volleyball at GHS
Andrew Christiansen
Reporter
There are times you can learn more about a team during the warm-ups than during the game. Watching the Goldendale Timberwolves prepare for their match against Highland, last week showed what it means to have a culture of volleyball compared to just having a team.
Junior varsity players emulate varsity players, just as other youngsters emulate professional players. The junior varsity girls copy mannerisms and they clearly aspire to become a varsity player at Goldendale.
Goldendale hasn’t maintained its dominance in SCAC play by accident. Last Thursday, the team won its 26th consecutive SCAC regular season match, and it looks like they alone will determine if they make it 32 straight at season end. The team doesn’t take winning for granted, but they expect to win.
The Wolves rolled over Zillah with a surprisingly one-sided win, and easily romped over out-gunned Highland, last week. Nikki Williams, Becky Gourley and Lexi Cameron combined for 37-38 serving against Zillah. Ryell Carley had a career high eight kills to go along with eight from Sydney Bloom and 10 kills from Hannah Swigart. Kylee Bellamy was the primary setter with 27 assists, and nailed six kills and 11 digs in the winning effort.
The Leopards had plenty of hard shots, but Goldendale passed well and Williams had an incredible 20 digs and Cameron added nine to a team total 52 digs. The scores were 25-16, 25-18, and 25-9.
The Scotties got their fill of Swigart hitting in the first set of the match played in Goldendale. Sadie Shattuck played a solid match with four aces and seven assists. Bloom led the team with eight kills, including the winning shot for each set.
Goldendale’s bench got plenty of floor time and the credit for digs and kills was spread throughout the line-up. Haley Hoffman was perfect from the serve line and accounted for three aces. Williams had four aces and seven digs. Amber Ihrig provided right-side hitting relief for Swigart and also came up with three digs.
Tuesday’s opponent, Naches Valley completes the half-way mark for the season.
Following a trip to Mabton on Thursday, the team will travel to Spokane for the Crossover Classic, where they will be tested by some of the better teams in the state. Challenging themselves against bigger and better teams is just another part of a winning culture.
It is said that all good things must come to an end. It is probably true, even in Goldendale. But for the current season, it appears the culture of volleyball will likely carry them on to another trophy chase at this year’s State tournament.
Soccer team searches for first win after near miss against Cle Elum Warriors
Goldendale was denied a good opportunity to get into the win column last Saturday, when their game against Granger was cancelled because the Spartans were unable to field a team. Coming off a 5-3 loss to Cle Elum, the Timberwolves had to believe their fortunes were about to turn.
Cle Elum ran off to a 3-0 lead in the first half before Traci Bailey scored at the end of the first half.
The Warriors scored at the 47 minute mark, but the Wolves battled back with goals by Sidney Ross and Carlee Wheelon with just two minutes left.
Jordan Mack squelched the comeback with a final goal to give Cle-Elum a 5-3 win.
Goldendale traveled to 1-6 Mabton on Tuesday, and gets a shot at 1-5 Royal on Saturday in Royal City.
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