By ANNIE FOWLER | Photos by KATHY ANEY | CUJ Special Contributors
Pilot Rock splits matches at volleyball jamboree
PENDLETON — Nine volleyball teams from Umatilla and Morrow counties came together Thursday, Aug. 29, for a jamboree at Pendleton High School, giving teams a chance to work out the bugs before the season gets under way.
“We really enjoyed the jamboree,” Pilot Rock coach Jen Porter said. “It was a great way to work out some kinks and see where we are going into the season. This team has a lot of potential.”
Pilot Rock went 2-2 on the day, dropping games to Pendleton (25-8) and Ione/Arlington (25-21), while beating Irrigon 25-17, and Umatilla 25-8.
On the day, Aubrey Corwin had four kills, six assists and nine digs, while Kessa Litfin had three kills, nine digs, five assists and five aces.
Coley Gibbs chipped in nine digs, while Gracee Hemphill had three kills.
Nixyáawii went 0-4 on the day with losses to Heppner, Riverside, Umatilla and Irrigon. Game scores were not available.
“Definitely a good start to the season as we figure out rotations and the girls’ strengths,” Golden Eagles coach Rayne Spencer said. “A lot of positives taken from tonight, and good insight on where we can build from here.”
WESTON-MCEWEN SPLITS MATCHES — The TigerScots opened the season with a 25-20, 24-26, 25-21, 23-25, 15-9 home win over Dufur, and a 25-18, 25-12, 16-25, 25-23 loss to Imbler.
“We had a good day of volleyball,” W-M coach Marie Cain said. “The girls played well. They are getting used to each other and settling into the game.”
Delaynee Angell and Charlotte Hansell each had 17 kills and four aces, while Addy Hall had 14 kills and three aces, Bree Ward nine kills, and Kayli Choin six kills.
“We had a strong showing from so many players on the team,” Cain said. “They played together and had fun together, which is key. I love how we move the ball around and utilize our hitters. Our setters have lots of options.”
The TigerScots will play Saturday at the Grant Union Tournament.
Cross country
Pendleton’s Reynolds fourth at John Hascall Memorial
Pendleton’s Jack Reynolds placed fourth, and Nixyáawii’s Sun Schimmel was seventh at the John Hascall Memorial 3k in Pilot Rock.
The race had six teams and more than 100 runners.
“We just want it to be a fun race,” Pilot Rock coach Tyler Zyph said. “John [Hascall] was a fun outgoing guy. You couldn’t have asked for a better day.”
Reynolds ran the 3,000-meter course in 10 minutes, 25 seconds, with Schimmel three spots back at 10:43.
The Bucks also had Eric Baisley (9th, 10:44) and Autry Robinson (10th, 10:47.80) in the top 10, while Mason Morioka was 23rd (12:00.70) and Jefferson Steele 25th (12:04.90).
Pendleton finished second in the team standings with 62 points. Enterprise won the team title with 19 points, led by Jett Leavitt, who won the race with a time of 9:04.50.
“That Jett kid is something else,” Zyph said. “They were all glad we did a 3k to ease the kids into the season.”
The Golden Eagles finished fourth in the teams standings with 104 points. Sacas Wildbill finished 15th (11:26.50), followed by Cashis Bevis (36th, 13:21.10), Jeffrey VanPelt (41st, 13:31.70) and Dresden Farrow (50th, 16:18.70).
The host Rockets, led by Carter Ford (12th, 11:17.40), were fifth in the team standings with 117 points. Also scoring for Pilot Rock were Lewis Hansen (28th, 12:27.70), Ayden Hoeft (34th, 13:13.10), Landon Norton (46th, 13:46.40), and Hunter Fitzpatrick (51st, 16:26.10).
In the girls race, Enterprise’s Lilly Were and Heppner’s Lily Nichols were neck and neck the whole race until Were pulled away at the end to finish with a time of 11:30.30. Nichols was second at 11:34.70.
“That was a good race,” Zyph said. “That freshman from Enterprise (Weer) was legit.”
Pendleton freshman Ella Pozar led the Bucks, finishing 11th with a time of 13:16. She was followed by Melissa Tune (13th, 14:00.50), Madelyn Lieuallen (14th, 14:02.70), Evelyn Hayes (15th, 14:34), and Isabella Estrada (17th, 14:38.90).
Pilot Rock freshman Hailey Severe ran a 15:11.60 to place 19th in her first high school race. She was the only Rocket in the race.
Nixyáawii’s Rosaella Salt turned in a time of 16:44.40 to place 33rd, while teammate Liana Higheagle was 35th with a time of 18:34.90.
Enterprise won the girls team title with 19 points, while Heppner was second (49) and Pendleton third (69).
Boys soccer
THE DALLES 4, PENDLETON 1 — The Riverhawks scored three goals in the second half to beat the Bucks on the road in a nonleague game.
“I think, for 30 or 40 minutes of the game, we looked like the better team,” Pendleton coach Evan Brandhagen said. “We had tons of attacking opportunities, and our defense looked cohesive. It was full of good takeaways. First game of the season you learn what you need to work on.”
The Dalles led 1-0 at the half, then took a 3-0 lead in the second half before Anson Dressler put the Bucks on the board.
Freshman Jared Pace was in goal for Pendleton and had a strong showing in his first varsity game.
“He played fantastic,” Brandhagen said. “He played like a competent varsity goalie. He had fantastic saves.”
The Bucks will host Junction City on Saturday.
Girls soccer
THE DALLES 7, PENDLETON 1 — Kelsey Graham scored the Bucks’ lone goal in a nonleague road loss to the Riverhawks.
Junior Citlali Garcia finished with nine saves for Pendleton, which will host Junction City at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.
