Outlaws beat two league foes

The Outlaws volleyball team defeated both Sutherlin and Cottage Grove this past week to push their league record to 4-0.

Sisters beat Sutherlin at home on September 23 in three quick sets with scores of 25-14, 25-13, and 25-12.

Jessie Brigham was on fire and had an almost perfect match on serve-receive. Brigham got the Outlaws off to a great start, and finished the match with 21 serve-receive passes.

The second set was highlighted by an amazing save by Hawley Harrer and Alex Hartford. Harrer raced off the court, and reached into the bleachers to get a ball and put it up in the air. Hartford took the ball almost directly in line with the net and hit it backwards. The ball tucked inside the antennae and onto Sutherlin's side.

Sisters' momentum carried them easily through the third set.

Nila Lukens led the Outlaws with 12 kills and two aces. Harrer recorded nine kills, two aces, and 15 assists. Brooke Knirk and Isabelle Tara added four kills each.

Hartford dished out 16 assists and had two aces at the service line. Brenna Weems had three blocks on the night.

Libero Jessie Brigham had nine digs, and Allie Spear finished with 10 digs, six kills, and three aces.

Spear is glad to be back on the court after being sidelined due to a sprained ankle.

"It was hard to just (be) on the sidelines and watch," said Spear. "But I wasn't scared for my team, because they are so strong. Now that I'm back, I feel stronger, and I am just so excited for what this season has for our team.

"I think our team is doing so well, and it's because we all get along so well both on and off the court. It's just fun playing together. We have an amazing group of athletes, and when our talents are combined we are unstoppable."

Coach Miki McFadden told The Nugget that Sutherlin is one of the better teams in the league, but the Outlaws shuts teams down because they are so big at the net and are great at the service line.

Two days later, the Outlaws won on the road in their match-up against Cottage Grove with scores of 25-11, 25-15, and 25-15.

The Lions proved to be a scrappy opponent, and dug the ball well. There were lots of long rallies, and the Outlaws had to play hard.

Spear did a tremendous job at the service line, and gave the Outlaws their first seven

points in the third set.

"Allie had good slow serves, short serves and deep ones, and really mixed up the areas and hit specific spots," said McFadden.

Spear also had a great save in the final set when she ran for the wall and put the ball back over the net.

Spear posted 10 kills and five aces in the match. Lukens recorded 12 kills, and Tara added five.

Hartford dished out 16 assists, and Harrer tallied 13 assists and seven kills. Brigham had four aces and five digs, and Weems put up four big blocks.

Sisters is currently 4-0 in league and 15-1 overall.

The Outlaws were to play at home against Junction City on Tuesday, September 30. On Thursday, October 2, the Outlaws will play at Sweet Home.