Volleyball takes first place at Cascade Tournament

Sisters' volleyball team dominated the Cascade Tournament Saturday, September 10.

Sisters didn't lose a single game in pool play and finished that segment of the tourney at 6-0. The Outlaws defeated Scappoose 25-14, 25-16, took down Taft 25-10, 25-16, and wrapped up pool play with a 25-11, 25-22 win over Madras.

Bracket play began with a match against Yamhill-Carlton. Sisters rolled through the match with scores of 25-13 and 25-11. In the semi-finals the Outlaws met Tillamook, their toughest opponent of the day. The Cheesemakers had some tall, athletic players who could swing, but they didn't match the Outlaws on defense. Sisters took the match with scores of 25-21

and 25-17.

Sisters advanced to the championship match and faced Sky-Em rival, Cottage Grove, but the Lions were unable to match the Lady Outlaws at the net. Sisters topped CG 25-16 and 25-7 and were crowned the tournament champs.

Coach Diane Bremer said, "Our level of play today was high. We were very effective at all three hitting positions on the net; our defense was great, and our serving was tough to deal with."

In game two of the championship match, Shelbi Thompson delivered 15 serves with nine aces. Powerhouse Lizzy Carhart exploded at the net with 33 kills and 21 blocks.

"Lizzy was unstoppable, and I have never seen her play to this level," stated Bremer. "She is obviously taking her game to a new level."

Chelsea Reifschneider had 20 kills on the day, and Bailey Bremer finished with 19 kills. Megan Minke was very effective at the middle for the Outlaws and put up 14 blocks and 18 kills. Michaela Meeter played some key minutes for Sisters and added three kills and four blocks.

Kristina Sparling had a breakout day with 22 kills and 11 blocks.

"Kristina was hungry to score and was ferocious with her attack," said Bremer.

Freshman Nila Lukens and Kristina Johns each contributed three kills.

Shannon Fouts handled the role at setter and according to Bremer is quickly showing she is poised to lead the Lady Outlaws to great things. Fouts had 66 assists, 14 digs, and three stuff blocks and was very effective from the service line.

Sydney Stoneback led the team with 55 digs on the day. Samantha Williamson recorded 10 digs, Jenny Houk contributed eight, and Kristina Johns and Savannah Spear added six and four digs, respectively.

Bremer summed up the tournament by saying, "Today's performance was solid and unwavering. I was very pleased at the team's level of intensity and aggressiveness."

Four days earlier Sisters traveled to Stayton and opened their season with a match against the Eagles. The Outlaws took the match in three straight sets with scores of 25-23, 25-21 and 25-15.

Bremer noted that the Eagles are a much-improved team from last year and played a consistent match with very few errors.

Sisters' solid offensive attack proved to be too much for the Eagles to handle. Lizzy Carhart led the team with 11 kills, followed by an errorless hitting performance by Chelsea Reifschneider, who recorded 10 kills on the night. Bailey Bremer contributed nine kills and Megan Minke added five.

Fouts dished out 24 assists and Stoneback led the defense with 15 digs. Thompson had eight digs on the night and Fouts and Bremer each contributed five.

"We just came out and played a very solid volleyball match," said Bremer. "Despite a stifling hot gym to play in, the team took it in stride and played our level and never let down."

The Outlaws will host a three-way match with Central and Summit on Thursday, September 15. Sisters will start with a match against Central at 4 p.m.