Volleyball team posts easy wins

Sisters' volleyball team continued their domination on the court this past week with sweeps against Cottage Grove (CG) and Junction City (JC). The Outlaws lead the Sky-Em League with a 6-0 record.

In Tuesday's action, the Outlaws beat CG at home with scores of 25-9, 25-9 and 25-19.

The Lions couldn't dig anything in the first two sets, and the Outlaws recorded easy wins. In the third set a combination of the Lions playing better defense and the Outlaws mixing up their line-up resulted in a much closer game.

Allie Spear led the Outlaws with 12 kills, followed by Isabel Tara who tallied 10 and Brooke Knirk who added nine. Savannah Spear recorded 14 digs in the match.

Savannah told The Nugget she loves playing at the libero position.

"I love being libero and having control at the beginning of the play," she said. "When our team has a successful finish to the play it's awesome knowing we all contributed. The hitters have the power but I see the court and get the opportunity to act as a guide as to where they should direct the ball."

Katelyn Meeter and Alex Hartford combined for 30 assists. Hartford also pounded out five aces and Annika Stadeli added four.

Two days later, the Outlaws swept JC on the road.

Hartford started at the service line for the Outlaws in the first set and got the team five quick points and a nice lead. Sisters kept the momentum going and recorded the sweep.

Nila Lukens had a big night for the Outlaws and posted 15 kills and four big blocks.

"Nila had an outstanding night," said Coach Miki McFadden. "She's a little Tigger. She has so much spring in her legs and any team who doesn't have a big blocker, she just eats them up."

Isabel Tara had seven kills, and Allie Spear and Brenna Weems contributed six kills each.

Meeter and Hartford combined for 31 assists. Savannah Spear had 13 digs in the match and sister Allie recorded three aces.

Hitter Isabel Tara feels the team is playing great and as a tight unit.

"We are doing so well overall," she said. "We've all played club ball together also and so it really feels like we're family."

On the match, McFadden said, "Junction City dug well and we had a lot of good rallies, more so than in the past. It wasn't in the bag until later in the sets when we pulled away with good serving."

The Outlaws were to play Sweet Home on Tuesday, October 8, and on Thursday, October 10, they have a bye.