By Ryan Sparks and Hasani Grayson
Grays Harbor News Group
A big win for Montesano girls soccer tops our prep sports coverage for a busy Tuesday night.
PREP SOCCER
Montesano 2, Tenino 1
Entering Tuesday, the standings atop the 1A Evergreen league was a log jam, with three teams — Montesano, Tenino and Elma — sitting on top with 2-1 league records.
Monte did its part to clear the jam.
The Bulldogs got two goals from forward Anna Ayres en route to a 2-1 comeback victory over Tenino on Tuesday at Jack Rottle Field.
“We didn’t even want to talk about that pregame,” joked Montesano head coach Fidel Sanchez regarding the importance of the contest. “One of my coaches said, ‘Whoa, this is a huge game,’ and I said, ‘Don’t even say it’s a huge game. Let’s play the game and we can celebrate afterwards and talk about how big that game that was.”
A loss meant Monte would be on the outside looking in for a potential league title and would likely have to win its remaining four games for a shot at the crown.
Things didn’t start off well for Monte as Tenino took an early 1-0 lead when midfielder Lara Kershaw scored off a deflected cross just a few minutes into the game.
But Monte (10-1-1, 3-1 Evergreen 1A) responded, knotting the score at 1-1 when Brooke Streeter sent a bending free kick into the box. The ball found the head of Ayres, who put it in the back of the net at the 27:15 mark.
The game changed from that point on, as Monte, uplifted by the goal, turned what was a back-and-forth contest where both teams had scoring chances into one where the Bulldogs would get the majority of offensive opportunities.
“Mainly, we were just really focused on working together as a team,” Ayres said of Monte asserting its will into the game. “The defense was working great together, communicating and getting (the ball) outside and up toward the offense to get it out of there.”
The game remained 1-1 until the second period, where Ayres’ knack for being in the right place at the right time would pay dividends once again. Bulldogs senior winger Glory Grubb made one of her several deep runs up the right sideline. She sent a cross into the middle of the Beavers’ 18-yard box, where Ayres flicked a shot over goalkeeper Maria Collins’ head and into the twine for a 2-1 lead in the 46th minute.
“Yesterday, in practice, we were working a lot with different runs to the goal and in the box,” Ayres said. “I think that totally helped us with that. Just moving constantly, recycling our runs and it worked.”
Montesano midfielder Brooke Streeter, right, sends the ball forward past Tenino’s Lara Kershaw during the Bulldogs’ 2-1 win on Tuesday in Montesano. (Ryan Sparks \ The Daily World)
Looking to gain the equalizer, Tenino (8-3-1, 2-2) pressured the Montesano defense by moving players forward into offensive positions. But the Bulldogs defense was steadfast, thwarting any Beavers runs and deflecting/blocking multiple pass attempts.
“We preach organization,” said Sanchez regarding Monte’s keys to defense. “That’s what we work on. That’s what we are disciplined about because without it, a team like Tenino, they are going to find gaps to hit you with it. Sophie (Barre) and Lexi (Lovell) did a great job cutting off everything that was going forward. So they were organizing well in the middle.”
Monte’s win, combined with Elma’s victory over Raymond-South Bend on Tuesday, means the Bulldogs and Eagles are currently tied atop the league with identical 3-1 records (though Elma did beat Monte 2-1 back on Oct. 2).
But Sanchez isn’t concerned with anything other than the next game on the schedule.
“We have Hoquiam on Thursday. They’re our next opponent. We’ll focus on them,” he said.
Tenino 1 0 — 0
Montesano 1 1 — 2
Top Players: Montesano — Ayres (2 G), Grubb (A), Streeter (A); Tenino — Kershaw (G)
Elma 6, Raymond-South Bend 0
Elma’s ball movement gave Raymond-South bend a lot of trouble as the Eagles soared to a 6-0 victory at Davis Field on Tuesday.
Elma (7-4-1, 3-1 Evergreen 1A) got five goals in the first half, including two from Jillian Bieker who scored consecutively before halftime.
Destry Dineen also got in on the scoring effort, tallying a goal and assisting on one of Bieker’s goals in the first half.
Elma head coach Scott Rockey said his team’s passing ability was on display that night.
“We were able to work on our passing game. We were passing really well and moved it from the defense out to the middle and getting it up to our forwards for a lot of shots on goal,” he said.
Both teams will be back in action on Thursday. RSB (3-6, 0-4) will be looking for its first league win the Riptide head to Forks.
Elma will be at home against Tenino on Thursday. Both games will kick off at 7 p.m.
Raymond-South Bend 0 0 — 0
Elma 5 1 — 6
PREP VOLLEYBALL
Ocosta 3, Ilwaco 0
Ocosta’s Layne Martin gets a kill in match against Ilwaco. Martin led the team with 14 kills in Ocosta’s 3-0 win over the Fishermen on Tuesday. (Hasani Grayson | The Daily World)
The Ocosta Wildcats are proving to be unbeatable this season, literally.
Ocosta won two close sets with the Ilwaco Fishermen, 25-23 and 26-24, before turning it on in the third set to win 25-13 and down second-place Ilwaco on Tuesday in Westport.
Layne Martin led the offense with 14 kills. Emily Snider added a team-high 24 assists for the Wildcats.
Despite being up by two sets going into the third, Wildcats coaches and players knew they could be performing on a higher level.
“In the third set we got in the huddle and said, ‘It’s time to stop sucking butt,’” Ocosta’s Kaylee Barnum quipped. “We had enough time to do what we were supposed to do and we handled business in the third.”
Ocosta bounced back from a shaky performance earlier in the match and cruised to a victory in the third, at one point leading by as many as 15 points thanks in part to some improved passing by the Wildcats (9-0, 4-0 Pacific 2B) and some costly errors from Ilwaco (4-5, 2-2).
Ocosta head coach Barbra Rasmus said she is feeling good about her team with only five league matches to go.
“I’m feeling really confident,” she said. “They’re playing well even though they still have room to improve. We’re 9-0 and it’s been a really long time since I was 9-0 so it gives me a good feeling to know that they’re going to play hard.”
Ilwaco 23 24 13 – 0
Ocosta 25 26 25 – 3
Top players: Ocosta – Barnum (9 kills, 10 digs), Evalyn Marsh (18 digs), Kylee Poirier (8 blocks, 9 kills)
Ocosta comes together to celebrate after winning the first set in a match against Ilwaco on Tuesday night. (Hasani Grayson | The Daily World)
Elma 3, Forks 0
The Elma Eagles sit alone atop the 1A Evergreen league with a straight-set victory over Forks on Tuesday in Elma.
The two teams entered Tuesday’s game in a tie for first place, but Elma (6-4, 4-0) made quick work of the Spartans, winning by scores of 28-26, 25-23 and 25-10.
Eagles middle blocker Jalyn Sackrider had a game high 19 kills to lead Elma. Quin Mikel added 10 kills and setter Ella Moore had 33 assists in helping Elma obtain the top spot in league.
Elma takes on winless Tenino at 7 p.m. on Thursday in Elma.
Forks 26 23 10 — 0
Elma 28 25 25 — 3
Rochester 3, Aberdeen 2
The Aberdeen Bobcats’ comeback attempt fell short in a 3-2 loss to Rochester on Tuesday in Aberdeen.
Aberdeen entered the game having taken its lumps from league opponents, dropping their last three 2A Evergreen contests in straight-set losses.
The Bobcats (3-6, 1-3) set-losing streak reached 11 after dropping the first two sets of Tuesday’s match by scores of 25-22 and 25-20.
But facing another straight-set sweep, Aberdeen rallied to win the last four points to take the third set 26-24.
A resurgent Bobcats club then cruised to a fourth set victory, 25-20, before falling in the fifth set, 15-8.
“We never got the momentum in game five,” Aberdeen head coach Doug Basler said before turning attention to how his team fought through adversity. “I’m really proud of how the girls fought back.”
Senior middle blocker Anna Arquette had 15 kills to lead Aberdeen. Junior Kennedy Pruett added 10 kills for the Bobcats.
Aberdeen takes on Centralia at 7 p.m. Thursday at Centralia High School.
Rochester 25 25 24 20 15 — 3
Aberdeen 22 20 26 25 8 — 2
Montesano 3, Tenino 0
Montesano libero Mylaina Parker performs a jump serve during the Bulldogs’ straight-set victory over Tenino on Tuesday. (Ryan Sparks | The Daily World)
Montesano picked up its first league win of the season with a straight-set victory over winless Tenino on Tuesday at Montesano High School.
The Bulldogs (4-6, 1-3 Evergreen 1A) got a game-high seven kills from outside hitter Carley Bradbury and 18 assists from junior Janessa Otterstetter in the 25-8, 25-20 and 25-13 victory.
“Our passing was much better, which contributed to our ability to be able to set, hit and follow through on our execution,” Monte head coach Renee Volz said. “I think this builds confidence in them that they can take it in three instead of waiting until five, or not at all.”
More importantly, Tuesday’s game was the Bulldogs’ ‘Cancer Night’ contest, where proceeds and donations from the game totalled $1,137.53 and will go toward benefiting Jan Hasbrouck, a local resident dealing with the illness.
“There are girls on the team that have been touched directly by cancer, as well as myself,” Volz said. “I think it’s huge and I think its good for them to give back and see something bigger than them. I think its a good way for the girl to recognize that there are people that need us.”
Tenino 8 20 13 — 0
Montesano 25 25 25 — 3
Raymond 3, Life Christian Academy 2
The Raymond Seagulls outlasted a game Life Christian team en route to a 3-2 win on Tuesday at Raymond High School.
Raymond won by scores of 25-14, 22-25, 25-15, 21-25 and 23-21.
“It was a rollercoaster,” Raymond head coach Bob Swogger said of the back-and-forth contest.
Raymond outside hitter Tina Sypaphay led the Seagulls with six kills. Grace Busenius added five kills for the Seagulls.
Freshman Sidney Swogger led Raymond with six aces.
Raymond (4-5, 2-2 Pacific 2B) hits the road to take on Chief Leschi at 7 p.m. on Thursday.
Life Christian 14 25 15 25 21 — 2
Raymond 25 22 25 21 23 — 3
North Beach 3, Chief Leschi 0
The North Beach Hyaks earned their first win of the season and snapped a three-game losing streak with a straight-set victory at home over Chief Leschi on Tuesday.
Senior Jessica Garman led North Beach with seven kills and, according to Hyaks head coach Sharayah Miller, was “on fire at the net tonight.”
Mady Eang added 16 assists and Skye Bartell had a team-high 12 digs to lead the Hyaks (4-5, 1-3 Pacific 2B) to their first win since Sept. 24.
“All of the Lady Hyaks played some of their best volleyball tonight and I am proud to be their coach,” Miller said.
North Beach faces league-leading Ocosta at 7 p.m. on Thursday in Westport.
North Beach 25 25 25 — 3
Chief Leschi 16 20 14 — 0
South Bend 3, Willapa Valley 1
The South Bend Indians won their third consecutive game after downing Willapa Valley in four sets on Tuesday at South Bend High School.
After splitting the first two sets, 25-22 and 23-25, South Bend (6-3, 3-1 Pacific 2B) took sets three and four by scores of 25-15 and 25-16.
Jessica Sanchez had a game high 25 kills and added 22 digs for the Indians. Teammate Joshlynne Johnson led South Bend with 30 digs.
“Tonight was an important game,” South Bend head coach Kelsey Staats said. “The girls have been working extremely hard and they’re continuing to progress every game.”
With the win, South Bend moves into a second-place tie with Northwest Christian, one game behind Ocosta for the league lead.
Willapa Valley 22 25 15 16 — 1
South Bend 25 23 25 25 — 3
Mary M. Knight 3, Oakville 0
Oakville stayed competitive but eventualy lost in three-sets to Mary M. Knight on Tuesday at Oakville High School.
The Acorns lost 25-21, 25-19 and 25-20 in a match that featured long rallies and costly contested points.
The service game was a positive for the Acorns with Mya Ortivez coming away with three aces and Joanna Kukhar adding two aces.
Oakville head coach Jessica Spitzer said she liked the energy her players showed on the court.
“There was a lot more hustle and teamwork out on the court. I am proud of how they played this game and their attitudes even though they didn’t get the win,” she said.
Mary M. Knight 25 25 25 – 3
Oakville 21 19 20 – 0
Top players: Oakville – Joanna Kukhar (7 kills, 2 aces), Mya Ortivez (2 kills, 3 aces)
Lake Quinault 3, Wishkah Valley 0
The Lake Quinault Elks extended their winning streak to four games with a 3-0 win over Wishkah Valley on Tuesday at Wishkah Valley High School.
The Elks (4-2, 4-0 Coastal 1B) won 25-19, 25-13 and 25-23.
Kiya Kalama led Lake Quinault with 21 serves and four aces. Liz Guadarrama added 15 serves and an ace for the Elks, who have lost just two sets in their recent winning streak.
Lake Quinault travels to Taholah to take on the Chitwhins at 7 p.m on Thursday.
Wishkah Valley (4-2, 3-1), which had its four-game winning streak snapped in the loss, hosts Mary M. Knight at 7 p.m. on Thursday.
Lake Quinault 25 25 25 — 3
Wishkah Valley 19 13 23 — 0
PREP GOLF
Hoquiam 157, Montesano 170
After a slow struggling to keep his ball on the fairway on his first two holes, Hoquiam’s Michael Jump found a rhythm and ended up with a 38 to lead Hoquiam to victory against Montesano at Oakridge Golf Course on Tuesday.
Hoquiam beat the Grizzlies 157-170 with the help of Jump who shot his lowest score of the season.
“He Put minor disaster disaster behind him and shoot three birdies and one bogies and rest of them were pars,” said Hoquiam head coach Larry Dublanko. “He had what would be considered a great round of golf. I was so proud of his round.”
Jump led the team with a score of 38 and Josh Burgher was a stroke behind him with a 39. Braden Dayton and Tate Witherby rounded out the scoring for the Grizzlies by shooting 40.
Montesano (7-2) had some decent scores as well and was led by Ben Willis who put up a 39. Payson Parker shot a 42 and Ben Royer was a stoke behind him with a 43. Parker Plato was the last score counted for Montesano and shot a 46.
Hoquiam (10-1, 9-1)will hit the course against host Seton Catholic and La Center in a three way match at Tri- Mountain Golf Course.
Montesano will try to bounce back from its loss with a match against Kalama at Lewis River Golf Course.
Hoquiam (157) – Micheal Jump (38), Josh Burgher (39), Braden Dayton (40), Tate Witherby (40)
Montesano (170) – Ben Willis (39), Payson Parker (42), Ben Royer (43), Parker Plato (46)
PREP SWIMMING
Aberdeen 117, Tumwater 69
Lilly Schreiber and Hailey Wilson posted impressive times to qualify for the district meet in Aberdeen’s 117-69 win over Tumwater on Tuesday.
Schreiber finished with a time of 3:04.63 in the 200-yard medley to make it to districts. Wilson qualified for the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 1:17.79 and the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 1:09.77
It was a solid day overall at the pool for the Bobcats with an Aberdeen swimmer winning 10 out of the 12 events.
Aberdeen will get a week off before they host a three-way meet next Wednesday at Grays Harbor YMCA at 3:30 where they will face off against Centralia and WF West.
