Last season, both the Hoquiam Grizzlies and Raymond Seagulls volleyball programs had shown much promise.
Raymond went undefeated with a relatively young squad before COVID-19 cut the Seagulls’ season short.
Hoquiam showed signs of a program on the rise and returned much of its young talent from last season’s squad.
What was apparent when the two faced off in a nonleague matchup on Thursday in Hoquiam was that one team was clearly on a different level.
Playing a consistent, well-balanced brand of volleyball, the Seagulls dispatched the Grizzlies in straight sets — 25-16, 25-20 and 25-21.
“Raymond is a very technically sound team with a lot of weapons,” Hoquiam head coach Heather Bozich said. “They hit their spots serving, passed extremely well and we had a hard time getting things going offensively because of that.”
Raymond outside hitter and reigning 2B Pacific League MVP Sidney Swogger led the Seagulls (2-0 overall) with 10 kills and three aces, but the senior standout had plenty of help.
PHOTO BY PATTI REYNVAAN Raymond’s Sidney Swogger, left, records one of her team-high 10 kills while being defended by Hoquiam’s Faith Prosch (9) on Thursday in Hoquiam. The Seagulls won in straight sets.
Kyra Gardner (8 kills), Grace Busenius (6 kills) and Kyndal Koski (24 digs) had major contributions in Raymond’s victory as did setter Izzy Silvernail, who was noted by Seagulls head coach Bob Swogger for “a great night serving and had a great game setting for us.”
Raymond’s Caton Swogger and Alia Enlow also had critical contributions in neutralizing Hoquiam’s offense. The duo recorded three and four blocks, respectively, as a defensive presence in the middle.
“We were able to eliminate their middle attack by keeping them off balance,” Coach Swogger said. “When they did manage a middle attack, our block and defense did a good job of stopping it.”
Hoquiam (1-1) was led by Carron Blood, who had a team-best 22 digs and was noted by Bozich for her hustle.
“(She) did an outstanding job,” Bozich said of the junior Libero. “She got a hand on everything and played her heart out.”
PHOTO BY PATTI REYNVAAN Hoquiam libero Carron Blood records one of her team-high 22 digs during the Grizzlies’ straight-set loss to Raymond on Thursday at Hoquiam High School.
Kamryn Krohn added 12 digs for Hoquiam.
“Not a great night for us but we saw some good things,” said Bozich, adding she was proud that her team “kept the energy up” in the face of adversity.
“Playing a team like Raymond exposes weaknesses and now we can get back to work and fix them so we’re ready for the next challenge.”
Raymond’s junior varsity team defeated Hoquiam JV 27-25 and 25-20.
Raymond 25 25 25 — 3
Hoquiam 16 20 21 — 0
Elma 3, Aberdeen 0
Elma moved to 2-0 on the season with a straight-set victory over Aberdeen on Thursday at Aberdeen High School.
The Eagles (2-0 overall) won 25-20, 25-11 and 25-20.
Elma was led by Aalihya Ostrom (11 digs, 8 aces), Aubrey Moore (15 assists, 5 aces), Brooklyne Swarts (9 kills) and Torrey Thompson (6 aces).
“Our team played great tonight,” Elma head coach Kendra Dunn said. “We had another great serving night and I am proud of how aggressive we are being at the serving line.”
Aberdeen (0-2) was led by Emmersyn Yakovich and Michelle Jauregui, who had three kills apiece.
“Huge improvement in our second nonleague game of the season,” Aberdeen head coach Desiree Glanz said. “We are rebuilding this year. … We have amazing talent and it’s a learning process piecing everything together and finding their place.”
Elma JV won 2-0 while Elma’s C-team won 2-1.
PHOTO BY BEN WINKELMAN Hoquiam forward Maci Winkelman (22) is congratulated by sister Ellie Winkelman (18) and teammate Briana Herrera after scoring a goal in the Grizzlies’ 4-1 win over Raymond-South Bend on Thursday in South Bend.
PREP GIRLS SOCCER
Hoquiam 4, Raymond-South Bend 1
Hoquiam picked up its first win under new head coach John Johnson with a 4-1 win over Raymond-South Bend on Thursday at South Bend High School.
The Grizzlies (1-1 overall) led 1-0 in the first half on a goal by Emma Johnson before a Ravens goal tied the game at 1-1 heading into the half.
Hoquiam scored three goals over the final 40 minutes — two from forward Maci Winkelman — and the fourth goal on a shot by Briana Herrera off an assist from Yesica Peña.
Jemima Perez assisted on Hoquiam’s second goal, which was Winkelman’s first of the season.
“Tonight was a good win for these girls,” Johnson said. “We have some stout players, but we also have some young players that are finding their positions. … (When the) second half came, we really wanted to get back to playing our game instead of ball-booting.”
BOYS PREP GOLF
Montesano 189, Elma 208
Montesano defeated Elma in an East County Civil War matchup on the links of Oaksridge Golf Course on Thursday.
Montesano’s Josh Wills and Elma’s Grant Vessey were named co-Medalists of the Match with identical low scores of 45 for their 9-hole rounds.
Montesano (189) — Josh Wills 45, Zander Jones 46, Mason Ellis 48, Cole Sigler 50.
Elma (208) — Grant Vessey 45, Trayden Carter 51, Landen McKinney 54, Kaden Hinkle 58.
King’s Way Christian 196, Elma 202
Elma lost its season-opening match 196-202 to King’s Way Christian on Tuesday at Oaksridge Golf Course in Elma.
KWC (196) — Isaac Pisarczyk 45, Hunter Davenport 49, Colin Troy 49, Cade Irwin 52.
Elma (202) — Grant Vessey 41, Quinton Osbun 52, Traden Carter 53, Coltan Moran 56.
