Posted Wednesday September 10, 2008

IRRIGON - The Irrigon Knights (2A Blue Mountain) hosted Umatilla (3A Eastern Oregon) in a non-league volleyball match Tuesday afternoon. The Knights swept in three games 25-17, 25-22 and 25-18.

The teams opened the first game staying close with Irrigon leading 5-4. Serves by Irrigon Christina Garzilazo took the Knights out to a 10-4 lead. Umatilla then closed back to within two 10-8. Irrigon was able to control the ball and take a 16-9 lead just past the mid point of the game. From that point on Irrigon pulled away to a 25-17 win.

The Vikings put on a strong opening in the second game taking a 6-2 lead on the strength of Katelynn Schaefer-Cranston's serves. Irrigon's (player #1) put on a nice run of serve to tie it 6-6. Umatilla stretched the lead out to 12-9 during Selena Torres serve. During the Beth Reeves service Irrigon took the lead 13-12. Umatilla took the lead back momentarily 14-13. During the serves of Ariel Shock, which included an ace, the Knights took a 18-14 lead. Irrigon won the game 25-22.

Umatilla started the final game strongly taking a 4-0 lead before the first side out. A long run of serve by (Irrigon #14) took the Knights into a 10-8 lead. Umatilla was able tie it up 10-10. Irrigon took the side out and Christina Garzilazo served on a 5-0 run to take the score to 15-10. Irrigon played hard and there were several long volleys during the last third of the game. The Knights took the third game 25-18.

Irrigon coach Jill Wright was very pleased with the play of her young team. "It's nice to take a match in three games. We have a lot of go-getters on the team this year."

Coach Wright points to the team leaders senior Beth Reeves and junior Alisha Wiser for doing a great job.

"We have a great effort all away around the team. Ariel Schock, our setter, did a great today. We might raise some eyebrows this year."

Photos by Terry Aichele