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Bickleton captures second with five game win over TLG
ANDREW CHRISTIANSEN
Reporter
Fans had to wait a few days for the Bickleton versus TLG volleyball match last week, but it was well worth the wait as the two teams put on a great show in a five set match that went to the wire.
Originally scheduled for Oct. 10, the match was an important test to see who would take hold of second place in the Columbia Gorge league. Both teams had shown they could beat Sunnyside Christian, and neither team could get by Klickitat.
What seemed to be an even match on paper started as a runaway for Bickleton. Both teams were hustling, but neither team was able to set the ball at the net for their power hitters, Katelynn Clinton for Bickleton and Liz Vogt for TLG. Morgan McBride scored an ace in a four point string that put the Pirates on top 18-12.
With the set point looming, Vogt pounced on an overset and a service ace made it 24-20. A time out to regroup paid off, as Clinton responded with a great save and the return was hit out, giving Bickleton game one 25-20.
Bickleton looked like they might walk away with three straight, as they ran off with a 15-10 lead in the second game, but TLG fought back to keep it close with some nice finess shots by Veronica Glenn and several long volleys. Clinton pounded a hard kill shot to make it 22-18, but Audrey Hill serves got TLG to 22-21, as both teams grew quiet under the pressure of the game. A good save by McBride and a capping slam by Clinton on an overpass sealed the victory for Bickleton at 25-21.
The third game also featured several great points and it was TLG on top early, 13-7, then pulling away with a 19-8 score. Vogt won several points with blocks and kills and the end was a much easier 25-13 set for TLG.
TLG kept the momentum going in the fourth set, but Bickleton wouldn’t fold and made a battle out of it, coming back from a 21-14 deficit, eventually falling 25-20.
Game five began with Dana Kavanaugh serving up two aces and both teams working well. The game was back and forth throughout with ties at seven through 10. With the score 13-10 in favor of TLG, needing just two points for the come-back win, a foot fault was called on the serve.
Aymie Osborne served up three straight points to put Bickleton on the threshold of victory. The final point came on a hard hit by Clinton that was returned out of bounds for a 15-13 Bickleton win.
Bickleton vs SSC
The Pirates completed their dominance over Sunnyside Christian this season with a five set match win 25-17, 25-12, 25-27, 23-25, 15-10. Clinton scored 16 kills and six blocks, Star Kibby recorded four kills, McBride had 17 assists, and Holly Goodnight was good on 36 of 39 serves. Dede Kibby and Johanna Jensen contributed to the win with accurate passes.
Next up for Bickleton is a repeat against TLG in Bickleton on Friday.
Zillah passes on running game to spoil Goldendale Homecoming 17-7
ANDREW CHRISTIANSEN
Reporter
Friday’s 17-7 loss to Zillah was an emotional affair for Goldendale, given the coaching connections and the fact it was Goldendale’s homecoming.
“I don’t like to lose to Zillah. I don’t like to lose at all,” said Coach Don Strother, a former high school player at Zillah. But in the aftermath, Strother credited his team for playing their best game of the year.
It was another game of missed opportunities as Goldendale failed to score on 14 and 13 play drives that reached the Zillah 33 and 14 yard lines, respectively.
Goldendale had reason to be optimistic about their chances against the Leopards. Zillah’s wishbone formation made them very beatable for a defense that can stop the run. For most of the game, the Timberwolves did stop the run. Zillah had just two long runs of any importance, 29 yards that helped set up a field goal, and 40 yards that preceded a touchdown pass. Both runs were by sophomore Chris Castillo, who finished with 114 yards for Zillah.
When forced to pass, the Leopards connected just three times, but they maximized the seldom used passing game by scoring on two of those passes.
Goldendale used the run to set up the short passing game, as planned. Austin Ross was on target with most of his 28 passes, but five drops, including two in the end zone, proved costly.
The outcome was in doubt up to 1:40 left in the game when the Leopard’s Alex Gonzalez made a great play to tip a pass away from Jose’ Briseno in the end zone.
Goldendale has a lot at stake in their final regular season game at Highland this Friday. The Scotties posted their first win of the year last week against Mabton. Working off a high from the win and the prospects of tying for the fourth playoff spot, the Scotties have ample motivation for an upset win.
A Timberwolf victory will give Goldendale sole ownership of fourth place and another trip to Royal in the first round of the playoffs. A win by Highland could create a three-way tie, as Cle Elum would also end up 2-4 with a win over Mabton. A Kansas City tie-breaker would be played if needed, early next week.
Zillah 0 10 0 7 17
Goldendale 0 0 0 7 7
Rushing: Zillah – Chris Castillo 7-114, Tanner McCombs 8-32, Jared Olivas 5-31. Goldendale – Tyler Hunziker 6-40, Kyle Cairns 12-36, Austin Ross 8-27.
Passing: Zillah – McCombs 3-9-0-40. Goldendale – Ross 11-28-0-119.
Receiving: Zillah – Ryan Walker 1-20, Tanner Winckler 1-20, Bounds 1-21. Goldendale – Jose Briseno 3-26, Cairns 2-26, JimJack Davenport 1-16, Cole Cameron 2-11, Justin Garrigus 1-14, John Bartkowski 1-9, Hunziker 1-7.
Battle of Cougars goes to White Swan
Lyle-Wishram got a little morehealthy last week with the return of two players from the injured squad, but it wasn’t enough to score their first win in league play.
The L-W Cougars have struggled on the year with inexperience and barely enough players to field a team. They are still several short of enough to hold a decent scrimmage, but the hopes were high that they could get in the win column when the White Swan Cougars came to town.
The first two games were within Lyle-Wishram’s grasp, as each team had moments of spirited play, but L-W had a few too many service errors. The final score was 22-25, 21-25, 18-25 for White Swan. Brittany Price was a perfect 9-9 on serves and had eight blocks. Lexi Becker served four aces and nailed three kills. Cassie Bliss, returning from injury, contributed two kills and two aces.
Earlier in the week the Cougars ran into a buzz-saw at Riverside Christian, losing in straight sets 6-25, 3-25, 8-25. There weren’t many opportunities for positive stats in the match, as the league number two team clearly dominated.
Lyle-Wishram faced league leading LaSalle on Tuesday and will wrap up the season at home Oct. 30, against Riverside Christian. Game time is 6 p.m.
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