Unfinished business for Klickitat at State
Andrew Christiansen
Reporter
There is no time like the present, as far as TLG volleyball coach Angie Cox is concerned. She has five seniors and the attitude change is palpable compared to last year when the squad showed its youth. They had their moments in 2008, but couldn’t put together two good sets and weren’t confident enough to beat the better teams.
In addition to attitude, TLG will have a little different look to this year’s attack. “We will have three girls who can set and we are going to involve Veronica (Glenn) in the attack. She’s a good hitter,” said Cox.
The added setters are freshmen who along with six other players gained experience playing club ball this summer. The core of the attack will be Liz Vogt, who Cox said has improved over last year, when she was their go-to hitter. Vogt will have help from an improved Krissy Yarnell who has the size to give opponents someone other that Vogt to worry about, and Audrey Hill who can also deliver hard shots.
Perhaps the main improvement is in leadership where Dana Kavanaugh brings the rah-rah and Julia LaVallie is emerging as the floor general. This could be the year for the Mustang Eagles, but the way to State still goes through Klickitat and there are two other schools who think they are due….Bickleton and Sunnyside Christian. Action starts next week for the 1B schools.
Is this the year for TLG?
Andrew Christiansen
Reporter
Nobody is going to run away from Lyle-Wishram in eight man football this year. Coach Don Smith is looking at a backfield that features one of the best sprinters and one of the best hurdlers in 2B track last spring.
The hurdler, of course is junior, Henry Matai, a powerhouse runner who showed great speed in long scoring runs from scrimmage and on kick returns last year. The sprinter is Cody Carlson, somewhat of a surprise on the roster.
Carlson turned in the sixth best time in the state for a 2B runner in the 100 meters, with a 11.34 last year, and he finished second at State in the 200 meters. Toss in Alan Matai, who everyone agrees is super quick, and Keale Wiseman, who showed some flash in baseball, and all the Cougars will need are a few people who can block.
It is the one place that the team might be weaker than last year, but they are working to fill holes on the line with new faces, including Trey Kitchens, Daniel Phipps and Jonathan Marshall. Two strong players return on the line with Nolan Smith and Dillon Huffman. They will also lead the way on the defensive line. Coach Smith believes his defense will be fine with the speedsters in the backfield and Henry Matai and Kitchens at linebacker.
The schedule is a little softer than last year with the absence of Lowell , Ore. , but there is no soft touch in league play with teams like Tri-Cities Prep, Touchet, Colton and state champs, LaCrosse-Washtucna. Added this year is the unknown Sunnyside Christian, who has some great athletes. Whether or not they have a football team will become known in Lyle on Sept. 18.
The season gets started on Sept. 3, in Dufur. Expect the Cougars to be fired up for this game after letting the Rangers pull out a last minute victory in Lyle 24-22, last year.
The final game of the season against LaCrosse-Washtucna in Lyle on Nov. 6, should be before a packed house. The Cougars are ineligible for post season play, so the game against the defending champion is Lyle-Wishram’s championship game.
Cougar volleyball starting anew, again
Lately it seems the Lyle-Wishram Cougars are in a constant rebuilding mode for volleyball. Coach Lori Smith has a great turnout of 18 players this year, but seven are freshmen and four are sophomores. There are five juniors and senior leadership falls to two players, Tosha Gidley and Yessica Gutierrez.
But the future looks bright and Smith notes that the older girls have been very patient with the inexperienced players, some who are still trying to learn where they need to be on the floor once play begins. Part of their bright future is that twice as many girls are out for junior high volleyball, so in a couple of years, who knows.
Returning to the lineup is Karlee Roth, who missed last year with a knee injury, as did Brianna Brock. Other experience comes from Alex Knickerbocker, Taylor Freemantle, Shelby Casey and Shantell Hickman. Lisha Risley should also add athleticism to this year’s team. Play begins next Monday in Lyle.
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