Volleyball pulls to 9-0 in league

The Lady Outlaws posted two league wins to push their league record to 9-0 this past week. Sisters defeated No. 2 league rival Sutherlin on Tuesday, October 14, and two days later tallied an easy victory at home against Cottage Grove.

In Tuesday's match against Sutherlin, the Outlaws' serves were more than the Bulldogs could handle. Sisters served tough the entire contest, and Sutherlin couldn't get a good pass. They had to constantly set from the back row, which made it difficult for them to run any type of offense. The Outlaws won in three sets with scores of 25-16, 25-17, and 25-9.

Allie Spear led the team with 12 kills, and Nila Lukens added 10. Alex Hartford dished out 15 assists, and Jessie Brigham tallied nine digs and three aces.

Brenna Weems did a good job at the net for the Outlaws and had three blocks for kills at middle. Ashlynn Cantwell came in for Weems to play defense and serve. Cantwell serves are flat, and slope and move, which threw the Bulldogs off-balance. Ashlynn didn't miss a serve the entire night.

Sisters missed power-hitter Hawley Harrer in the front row. Harrer was only able to play back-row due to a bad left shoulder.

Two days later, seniors Lukens, Weems, and Haylie Hudson were honored at "senior night" prior to the match. All three ladies have been with the program since they were freshmen.

The Outlaws swept the Lions with scores of 25-6, 25-7, and 25-10, in a quick, easy match. In the third set, Sisters jumped out front with a 7-0 advantage on Brigham's great serving effort.

Sisters had enthusiastic fan support, and even though the competition wasn't tough, the Outlaws played hard.

Lukens posted 12 kills, and Spear added seven kills and five aces. Brigham recorded 16 digs, and Hartford had 13 assists on the night.

Harrer, who is a force at the net, was once again not able to play front row. Peytan Zanck came in for Harrer and did a good job at both blocking and hitting.

Coach Miki McFadden told The Nugget that the Outlaws played hard, but the games didn't push them like they'll be pushed in the playoffs.

"We need to up our intensity, and at practices we are going to have to include a lot of drills where the ball is returned quickly so the speed of our game stays sharp," stated McFadden.

Sisters was to play at Junction City on Tuesday, October 21, in their last league match of the season.