Posted Monday October 31, 2011

HERMISTON - The Hermiston Bulldogs defeated the Hood River Valley Eagles 3-2, 22-25, 21-25, 25-16, 25-23 and 17-15 on Thursday, October 20, 2011. It was dig pink night for breast cancer with players and fans decked out in pink. Hood River came out fired up and won the first two sets. It looked like the Bulldogs may have dug themselves a hole that would be hard to dig out of. The Dawgs turned things around and clawed back to win three sets in a row.

The first started off with Hermiston taking a 5-3 lead. The Eagles then battled back back tieing the score three times until they took the lead for good at 11-10 with Katie Smith serving. The Dawgs stayed withing two or three points during the rest of the first set. Kills for Hermiston came from Maloree Moss, Gracie Flyg, Cheyanne Lawson and Crystal Schmidt. Hermiston did have a little problem holding serve. Hood River won the first set 25-22.

The second set started off much like the first. Teams alternating the lead until Hood River took the 5-4 lead and pulled away to lead for the rest of the set. Hermiston tried to close the gap but couldn't get closer than three points down. Crystal Schmidt of the Dawgs did hit four kills in the set.

The Bulldogs got fired up for the third set. Once the Dawgs led by 4-3 they never lost the lead. Hermiston's serves became more consistant and the Dawgs work at the net improved with unofficially a combined total six blocks and kills. Nice run of serves by Cheyanne Lawson, Maloree Moss and Mikaela Cain-Anderson. Hermiston won the third set 25-16.

The fourth set was very evening with the teams exchaning the lead all the way to tied at 22-22. Crystal Schmidt and Maloree Moss each hit two kills. Hermiston was down 20-22 late in the set when Callahan Crossley had a nice run serve hitting an ace and the Dawgs scored five points in a row to take the 24-22 lead. Crystal Schmidt put an exclamation point on the set by smashing a big kill for the 25-23 win.

The 2-2 set tie led to the first to 15, or win by two points, fifth and final set. Hood River took the early 7-2 lead. Hermiston didn't seem to loose their cool even as Tracy Mok and Logan Bailey of Hood River hit serve after serve. Cheyanne Lawson helped to serve Hermiston back into the game tieing it up at 8-8 then taking the 9-8 lead. The teams then alternated the lead all the way to being tied at 15-15. Hermiston's Callahan Crossley then moved to serve and with great defensive work the Dawgs were able to score twice for the 17-15 fifth set win.

Hermiston showed that they had drive and determination to battle back and win the match 3-2.

LEFT - Hermiston's Jeni Hoffert, number 13, battles Tracy Mok of Hood River at the net. [img_8614] RIGHT - Hermiston's Crystal Schmidt, in the far court, smashes a kill by Tracy Mok of Hood River. [img_8637]

LEFT - Crystal Schmidt of Hermiston wipes her shoes during a break in the set. [img_8648] RIGHT - Crystal Schmidt of Hermiston with a set to a teammate. [img_8657]

LEFT - Maloree Moss of Hermiston sets the ball. [img_8693] RIGHT - Hermiston's Maloree Moss tips the ball over the net. [img_8699]

LEFT - Hermiston players react to a big point. Let to right, Cheyanne Lawson, Crystal Schmidt and Maloree Moss. [img_8730] RIGHT - Gracie Flyg of Hermiston digs a serve. [img_8747]

LEFT - Crystal Schmidt of Hermiston, on the left, blocks a shot by Courtney Harvey, number 7, of Hood River. [img_8775] RIGHT - Crystal Schmidt of Hermiston bumps a shot that had gone wide right. [img_8779]

LEFT - Mikaela Cain-Anderson of Hermiston bumps a shot. [img_8512] RIGHT - Cheyanne Lawson of Hermisotn, in the far court, battles Courtney Harvey of Hood River at the net. [img_8836]

Photos by Terry Aichele

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Posted September 3, 2008
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