Outlaws defeat Estacada in first round

The Lady Outlaws played a hard-fought and at times scary match against Estacada on Saturday, November 1. The match would determine who would advance to the final eight. Sisters came out on top with scores of 25-8, 17-25, 25-20 and 25-14.

Sisters easily won the first set. The Outlaws played smooth, blocked the ball well, and served tough. The tide turned in the second set and the Outlaws were set back on their heels. Sisters committed errors they don't normally commit, and missed serves and hits.

"We were just off," said Coach Miki McFadden. "They (Estacada) picked up their game and came alive."

It was a very close third set with the score going back and forth between the two teams. The Outlaws picked it up at the end and hit serves that gave them the momentum as they headed into the fourth set.

Sisters had some very good hits and serves in the fourth set and kept the momentum on their side. Nila Lukens continued her stellar play at the net and hit every ball that came her way. She carried the momentum from the front row right to the back and tallied four aces from the service line. The Outlaws earned the win and secured their berth to the final dance.

League MVP Lukens led the Outlaws with 25 kills on the night. Nila also recorded five digs and four aces.

"Nila had a crazy, amazing, kill game," said McFadden. "We set her every ball we could. She was just on fire."

Allie Spear also played a great match and was able to mix up her shots. Spear finished with eight kills, two aces, and four digs.

Jessie Brigham had 22 digs and five aces.

"Jessie had a good serving streak, and really picked up balls for us in the last game," said McFadden.

Hawley Harrer dished out 29 assists and had nine kills. Alex Hartford had 20 assists and Brooke Knirk tallied six kills and three blocks.

"It was a tough match, but a good one," said McFadden. "The more tough games we have, the more ready we'll be the further we go into playoffs. We are having good practices, and the girls are ready. We are focusing on getting our blocking sharper, and getting some different serve-receive rotations."

Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, October 28, the Outlaws beat Bend High in four sets.

The Outlaws will join seven other top teams at Lane Community College on Friday and Saturday, November 7-8, and battle it out for the state championship. Sisters will play the Cascade Cougars in the quarterfinals on Friday, at 3:15 p.m.