Outlaws volleyball takes Sky-Em title

Sisters' volleyball squad went 3-0 this past week to secure the league title for 2010. Sisters swept La Pine, Cottage Grove and Junction City (JC), all in three-game matches.

Coach Diane Bremer is very proud of her players and their accomplishment.

"I am really proud of this group of young ladies," said Bremer. "They have a great chemistry and are very selfless players and very team-oriented. We are really looking forward to the post-season which was one of our goals we set earlier in the season. Now the platform is set for our second goal, and that's to return to Lane and have the opportunity to defend our state title."

Sisters started their week with a win at La Pine on Tuesday, October 19. The Outlaws dominated the match and beat the Hawks with final scores of 25-6, 25-13 and 25-19. Bailey Bremer led the offensive onslaught with seven kills, followed by Lizzy Carhart with six kills. Chelsea Reifschneider added five kills on the night. Kaity Douglass dished out 25 assists and went 19 for 20 from the service line with four aces.

Two days later marked the return of MJ (Mary Jane) Schulte to active play after a medical absence. It was a special night as the Outlaws honored their seniors, Kaity Douglass, Marisa Calavan, and MJ Schulte.

The Outlaws took the match against Cottage Grove in three games with scores of 25-12, 25-17, and 25-17. Marisa Calavan and Sydney Stoneback each had 12 digs on the night, followed by Douglass who finished with 11. Shelbi Thompson, JV player who came up for the match, logged nine digs and Reifschneider

added six.

"We were very strong defensively against the Lions," said Bremer. "Marisa (Calavan) played phenomenal defense and Chelsea (Reifschneider) also had a great night defensively and fought really hard."

Bremer told The Nugget that, offensively, the middles were ruthless at the net. Megan Minke had 11 huge kills for the Outlaws and also had three blocks in the match. Lizzy Carhart recorded seven kills and one block. Bailey Bremer contributed five kills and MJ Schulte added four.

Sophomore Minke gave credit for her kills to her teammates.

"Kaity's (Douglass) sets were right on spot and the passes were perfect. This allowed me to time my approach, get up higher and get the kill," said Minke.

Sisters wrapped up league play at Junction City on Saturday, October 23, and beat the Tigers in three games with scores of 25-16, 25-18, and 25-18.

Bremer noted that the Tigers had improved their play since they faced off in the first round of league and the Outlaws had some trouble receiving some of their serves.

"All in all, we held it together nicely, all the while focusing on some new offensive strategies," said Bremer.'

Middle blockers Minke and Carhart were kill leaders on the night, with six kills each. Douglass racked up 25 assists and had 13 digs in the match.

As soon as the Outlaws recorded the final point to win game three, the bench rushed the floor to celebrate.

"We were really excited to be league champs," said senior Marisa Calavan. "We all huddled together, jumped up and down, screamed, hollered and hugged and high-fived each other. Then we went over to congratulate Junction City on a great match."

Sisters finished their regular season with a perfect league record of 10-0, and 20-2 overall. The Outlaws will host Stayton, the No. 4 team from the Oregon West League, in a regional playoff on Saturday, October 30. Game time is set for 6:30 p.m.