‘We is greater than me’ for Outlaws

The Outlaws volleyball team has turned a challenging season into a strong winning record by coalescing around each other, regardless of pandemic impact, injuries, or other adversities.

The Lady Outlaws tallied two wins last week to push their league record to 7-2 and 17-3 overall. Sisters recorded a sweep at home against Newport on Tuesday, October 12, and on Thursday they beat the Lady Warriors 3-1 at Philomath.

On Tuesday against Newport, the Outlaws played well and controlled the tempo of the match from start to finish. The Cubs were plagued with errors and the Outlaws were able to capitalize. Sisters posted the easy win with scores of 25-9, 25-14, and 25-11.

Sydney Myhre and Gracie Vohs both served well throughout the match. In the first set Sisters went up 7-1 behind serves from Myhre, and in the second set, Vohs had an eight-point serving run.

Vohs led the Outlaws with 13 kills, followed by Bre White who tallied 10. Gracelyn Myhre added eight kills in the match.

Philomath put up more of a fight on their home court in Thursday’s match. It was senior night for the Lady Warriors and they were fired up and jumped to an early 5-1 lead.

Coach Rory Rush called a timeout to help her players regroup and settle down. The Outlaws got back in the game and tied it up 20-20. A big block from Bailey Robertson and Bre White gave Sisters a 21-20 lead.

The set ended in a 25-23 Outlaws win. The final two points came off a Mia Monaghan service ace and a hitting error by the Warriors.

Sisters controlled the second set from start to finish. They took a quick 7-0 lead before Philomath called a timeout. The Outlaws continued to increase their lead behind their offensive attack at the net and took the set 25-12.

The Outlaws led early in the third set, but were plagued with errors late in the game. Those errors allowed the Warriors back in. Philomath squeaked out a 25-23 win and forced a fourth set.

Sisters regrouped, refocused, and took an early lead. Aggressive play from Sydney Myhre played a big part in the Outlaws win. Myhre finished the set with eight kills and four aces.

Sydney Myhre said, “Philomath came ready to play and their crowd had energy, but we came ready to win. We all played as one unit and we’re ready for the next challenge. I couldn’t ask for a better team.”

Bre White said, “Our team has grown so much. We aren’t just players on the court, we are a family. Even through all this COVID and injuries we’ve had this season, we’ve learned to play for each other instead of ‘me.’ We is always greater than me.”

Sydney Myhre led the Outlaws with 22 kills and five aces in the match. Vohs recorded 10 kills and 10 blocks. White also tallied 10 kills. Hannah Fendall dished out 35 assists, and Monaghan finished with 21 digs and two aces on the night.

The Outlaws will wrap up league play this next week with a home contest against Cascade on Tuesday, October 19, and a home game on Thursday against Woodburn.