Outlaws beat Marist to tie for first

The Spartans of Marist didn't have a chance in last Thursday's match against the Outlaws.

Sisters dominated play and beat Marist in three games with scores of 25-13, 25-20 and 25-18. Intensity and determination were key in the Outlaws victory which placed them in a tie with Marist for first place in league standings.

In the first half of game one, Sisters and Marist battled back and forth with no more than a two-point advantage either way and the game was tied four times. Then the floodgates opened and Sisters scored 10 consecutive points for the win.

Marist put up more of a fight in game two and the game was tied seven times. Sisters scored five in a row to win the game. Match point was a lengthy volley and resulted in Marist being called with a lift. The Outlaws had momentum heading into game three and cruised to the win to take the match.

Sisters' outside hitters showed up in full force for the match with Fe Pledger leading the way with 13 kills and five blocks for the night. Haylee Schaab exploded in game three for the Outlaws and finished with 11 kills.

Co-captain Shea Kotal also played an outstanding match.

"Shea provided a rock-solid performance as is par for her," said Coach Diane Bremer. "Shea can do things on the right side better than anyone. She's swinging harder than ever before and balls that must cross your body before you swing she plays very well."

Hannah Harrer recorded a season high seven blocks on the night. Kaity Douglass dished out 17 assists and Dani Thompson added eight.

Libero Jessie Snow battled on defense for the Outlaws.

"Jessie is the hub of our back row and recorded 19 digs for would-be points for the Spartans," said Bremer.

Sisters was 97 percent from the service line with Snow leading the way going 19/20.

Justine Head came off the bench to record seven digs on the night.

Bremer also noted the solid performance of Sydney Stoneback in the back row and told The Nugget that as a freshman, Stoneback shows up each night focused to do her job.

"I'm very proud of these girls," said Bremer. "Four of these players are coming off illness and they still came out with fire in their belly to even up the league record."

Two days earlier the Outlaws dominated play against Pleasant Hill and took the match with scores of 25-4, 25-17 and 25-10.

Setter Dani Thompson recorded 35 assists in the match. Libero Jessie Snow had 19 digs for the night, followed by Fe Pledger who finished with 10 and Sydney Stoneback who added six.

Emily Douglass led the Outlaws with 12 kills and Pledger was just one back with 11. Haylee Schaab finished with nine kills for the night. Freshman Hannah Harrer was hot in the middle and had six kills off the quick set. Jenny Kaiser had four blocks in the match.

The team's serving stats were equally impressive. Pledger went 15/16 with six aces. Thompson and Stoneback were perfect from the line, going 11/11 and 10/10 respectively. Snow was 14/15 at the line.

"Pleasant Hill is a young team but they've made strides since we played them earlier in the season," said Coach Diane Bremer. "We're in a great place right now coming off of the tourney win in Seaside."

Sisters will travel to Elmira on Thursday, October 16, and finish up league play with senior night at home against Cottage Grove on Tuesday, October 21.