Siletz Warriors Ground Eddyville Eagles
Siletz Valley senior Lexi Metcalf helped lead the Warriors to a win over the Eddyville Eagles last week. (Photo by Larry Coonrod)
By Larry Coonrod
EDDYVILLE—The Siletz Valley volleyball team extended its season record to 3-3 with a win over the Eddyville Eagles Sept. 18.
Siletz won its first two matches of the season before losing the next three matches.
“We lost to some hard teams, but we’re back and tied 3-3,” said Coach Jessica Kramer.
Lexi Metcalf led the team with five hits. Kramer came to the match determined to get as many of the young players on the court as possible. While Siletz won 19-23, 22-25 and 20-25, the scores mask several Eddyville rallies. In game one, Eddyville trailed 4-20 before piling on 15 points to finish a respectable 19-25.
Kramer says putting less experienced players on the court against the Eagles probably cost the team points.
“We were willing to give a few points for experience,” she said. “We left it out there a little bit too tight.”
Siletz is off to its best season ever and aiming to make the playoffs.
“We have a great team this year,” Kramer said. “They are the best of friends and they work together. They are better than any team we’ve had before.”
The Warrior girls are on the road Tuesday for a match against the 1-10 Mohawk Indians.
Eddyville Rallies
Although they did not put a win on the board, the Eagles (1-7) provided the hometown crowd with exciting play. In game two, the team stayed even with Siletz before the Warriors jumped out to a 9-14 lead.
Eddyville battled back to a narrow 22-25 loss.
In game three, the Eagles found themselves trailing 8-20 before going on a tear. Several unanswered points pulled Eddyville to within five points before Siletz’s Lexi Metcalf ended the game with a powerhouse spike.
First-year coach and former Toledo High School volleyball player Shyla Luckini says while the team has won one match, the team is starting to tap its potential.
"They are playing really hard and up to their ability,” she said. “There’s a few games we could have won, but I think their emotions got in the way of winning.”
Senior Mercy Hogle says even when trailing by 12 points, her teammates never quit.
“We’re family on and off the court,” she said. “Once we look at the score and know we can do it, we put the best of our ability out there.”
The Eagles play at home against Alsea starting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23. The two county rivals meet again in Siletz on Oct. 14 for a rematch.
“Eddyville is definitely a competitor we’re going to have to keep our eye on in the future,” said Siletz Coach Kramer.”
Taft Splits Matches
TAFT—Tiger volleyball came up short against two tough teams last week, moving to a 2-5 overall record and 0-5 in league play.
The Tigers played Westside Christian (5-3) at home on Tuesday, Sept. 16. Westside took the match in three straight games: 25-12/25-22 and 25-19.
Head Coach Frank Napoleon called it a “hard-fought match.”
Taft Stats vs Westside Christian
Kills
Kelsey Wilkinson: 7
Katie McCardell: 5
BillyAnn Stempel: 4
Assists
BillyAnn Stempel: 8
Kelsey Wilkinson: 5
Serving
Noelani Napoleon: 11-11-1 ace
Maya Hatton: 11-11
Blocks
Katie McCardell: 2-1 stuff
BillyAnn Stempel: 2-1 stuff.
Taft at Santiam Christian Sept. 18
The Tigers fell to powerhouse Santiam Christian (10-0) on the road Sept. 18.
Santiam roughed up the Tigers 25-7/25-9 and 25-10.
Napoleon said his team got off to a tough start by not being able to receive the ball on the serve.
Taft Stats vs Santiam Christian
Kills
Kendra Knudson: 3
Assists
BillyAnn Stempel: 2
Kelsey Wilkinson: 2
Serving
Maya Hatton: 5-5-1 ace
Noelani Napoleon: 4-4
Blocks
Kendra Knudson 1-1 stuff
The Tigers are back on the court Tuesday, Sept. 23 at Amity and again at Sheridan on Sept. 25. Both are league games.
Newport
The Cubs beat Stayton 3-1 in a home game league match up on Sept. 16.
Newport dropped the first game 20-25 before coming back to best Stayton 25-28/25-23 and 25-21.An away game against Cascade saw the Cubs lose 0-3 in league play with the game tallies 25-18/25-14 and 25-8.
During a weekend tournament in Sisters Newport lost to Vale 0-2 and defeated North Bend/Oregon Coast Technology 2-0.
The Cubs move to a 4-7 overall record and 1-1 in league play.
Newport plays at home twice this week. First against Philomath (7-3) on Tuesday and then in a Thursday contest against North Marion (3-8). Both games start at 6 p.m.
Waldport
Waldport recorded its second win of the season last week, besting Gold Beach 3-2 in league play.
The Irish lost the first game of the match 19-25 and then took the next two sets 25-19 and 25-18. Stayton beat Waldport 25-22 in the fourth game. Waldport closed out the match with a fifth game 17-15 win.
On Sept. 20, Waldport played Triangle Lake in the East Linn Tournament for a 1-2 loss.The Irish moved to an overall 2-5 record and a league record of 1-0.
Waldport has a chance to improve its record with two league games at home this week. On Tuesday the Irish face Reedsport Charter School (2-8) and then Myrtle Point (8-3) on Thursday. Both games start at 7 p.m.
Toledo
The Boomers came up short in a 0-3 loss against Reedsport Charter on Sept. 18. Toledo fell 25-5/25-11 and 25-8.
The 0-5 Boomers play Myrtle Point (8-3) during an away game on Tuesday, Sept. 23. The team is back home on Thursday, Sept. 25 against Bandon (2-3) at 7 p.m.
Contact Reporter Larry Coonrod by emailing editor@lincolncountydispatch.com
