No. 4 Bucks sweep GOL for the second time
By ANNIE FOWLER, The CUJ
PENDLETON — Pendleton celebrated its seniors with a 25-14, 25-17, 25-23 Greater Oregon League win over La Grande on Oct. 24, at Warberg Court.
The No. 4 Bucks (15-5 overall, 6-0 GOL) swept the GOL for the second year in a row.
“We were very pleased with how we played tonight as a team,” Pendleton coach Jodi Primus said. “We came out strong in sets one and two. We were passing very well, which allowed us to run a very strong offense. The third set, we missed a few serves and didn’t serve receive quite as well, which made it a little harder for us to build momentum. We battled and finished that third set because we didn’t allow these setbacks to take away our mindset of what we set out to accomplish.”
Avery Brown led the Bucks with 12 kills, eight digs, three solo blocks, six block assists and two ace serves. Josie Jenness added 29 assists, nine digs and two aces, while Nicole Somnis had six kills and three aces, and Finley Evans 18 digs and a 2.4/3 serve receive average.
For the Tigers (7-10, 3-3), who finished tied for second in the GOL with Baker, Aubrey Bisenius had nine kills, six assists, six digs and two aces, while Taryn McIlmoil had 13 assists, three kills and two digs, and Rilley Robinson had 16 digs.
“Our setters really played well tonight, mixing up the offense and providing opportunities,” La Grande coach Melinda Becker-Bisenius said. “Our team was scrappy on defense and served well overall.”
The Bucks will host Weston-McEwen in a nonleague match Tuesday, then will wait to see who they will host Nov. 2, in the first round of the 4A state playoffs.
“We have a great mindset going into the playoffs,” Primus said. “These girls are putting the team and the team goals first. I keep pushing them to play with confidence and a positive mindset, and they are absolutely doing that. We are ready for the playoffs and I am confident that we have the ability to continue to compete with anyone in the state.”
