Outlaws dominate the hardwood

The Lady Outlaws volleyball squad remains undefeated so far this season, as they continued to crush league opponents last week. They hammered Harrisburg at home on Tuesday, September 12, in three straight sets with scores of 25-2, 25-9, and 25-7. On Thursday, two days later, they traveled to Pleasant Hill (PH) and fought a hard battle against the Billies, but prevailed with scores of 18-25, 25-17, 26-24, and 25-12.

In Tuesday’s action the Outlaws demolished the visiting Eagles in the first set 25-2 in just 11 minutes. Gracelyn Myhre stepped up to the service line with the game tied 1-1 and went on to serve the Outlaws to a 23-2 lead. Gracie Vohs had incredible, forceful kills that she drilled to the floor, and both Bailey Robertson and Katie Buller dominated with big blocks at the net. The Eagles managed one more point and then Mia Monaghan came in, served up an ace, and served the final point for the Outlaws’ easy win.

The second set was more of the same. Vohs and Myhre had several incredible kills. Vohs also performed well at the service line and served up three straight aces. The Outlaws only missed one serve the entire set.

The entire team contributed in the third and final set. Mia Monaghan served 13 straight points, including two aces, Myhre, and Vohs continued to drill the kills, and Robertson, Myhre and Buller all contributed with blocks at the net. Sophie Rush served five in a row to bring the score to 24-7, and an Eagle error gave the Outlaws the win.

Vohs led the team with 13 kills, and Robertson followed with 10. Holly Davis recorded 29 assists on the night.

Sisters went deep into their bench and got all 12 players on the court, which showed their versatility. They really shined at the service line and finished with a 98 percent rating on serves for the match.

Coach Rory Rush said, “From the first toss of the ball the Outlaws looked every bit a dominant force in the state and worthy of their No. 1 ranking at the 3A level.”

Two days later the Outlaws traveled to Pleasant Hill and faced the Billies in a match-up of the two best teams in the state. Sisters pulled off the win in four sets to take the drivers seat in the league standings.

Pleasant Hill came ready to play with a blistering barrage of hits and blocks which unnerved the Outlaws. The Billies’ top-notch play led them to a convincing first-set win.

Rush said, “We knew we’d get their best shots out of the gates. They are a well-coached team with a great home court advantage. Our goal going into the game was to show maturity and poise as we weathered their best shot.”

Coaches regrouped the Lady Outlaws and reminded them to follow their game plan. As the second set began there was an immediate change in the Outlaws. Their passes were more consistent, their hits more strategic and powerful, but most obvious was their play at the net.

Rush particularly noted middle blocker Bailey Robertson.

“Bailey’s play at the net changed the course of the match as the Billies had to alter their attack angles and second guess every attack with her intimidating block waiting,” said Rush.

Sisters took the second set and then battled through an extremely intense and entertaining third set that went to extra frames. The Outlaws took control of the momentum and enjoyed a confident and smooth fourth set to complete the exciting victory.

Vohs led the team with 21 kills, followed by Robertson and Kathryn Scholl, who recorded 11 each. Myhre led the squad with 12 digs and Davis tallied 46 assists.

With the win, the Outlaws hold first place in league and the No. 1 ranking in the state at the 3A level.

On Saturday, the Outlaws hosted the annual Sisters Invitational with 10 top teams from around the state in attendance, nine 4A squads and a team from Melba, Idaho.

Sisters finished first in pool play with wins over Newport, Vale, and Tillamook. The Outlaws were seeded into bracket play as the third-place team, matched up against Cascade, and posted a 25-12 first-set win. From there things unraveled, and the Outlaws fell 16-25 and then in a back-and-forth set suffered a 14-16 loss.

The Lady Outlaws will play at Siuslaw on Thursday, September 21.