TigerScots hold off Grant Union for BMC win
By ANNIE FOWLER, The CUJ
ATHENA — Grant Union pressured Weston-McEwen all night, but the TigerScots were able to escape with a 25-22, 24-26, 25-18, 25-21 Blue Mountain Conference win on Thursday, Sept. 19, to improve to 1-1 in conference play.
“We served tough tonight, putting pressure on the other side,” W-M coach Marie Cain said. “Mya (Bryan) had several serving streaks where she kept Grant Union out of system and allowed us to go on some runs.”
Delaynee Angell led the TigerScots (8-5 overall) with 12 kills and 11 digs, while Charlotte Hansell added six kills and nine digs, Kylie Kramer had 18 digs, and Bryan had four aces.
“Kylie played great defense tonight, reading the game and making good plays for the team,” Cain said. “Her serve receive was also a pivotal foundation for our offense. This was a great win for us as we head into the weekend in Lowell.”
W-M will play Lowell and Umpqua Valley Christian on Saturday at Lowell High School.
GRISWOLD 3, NIXYAAWII 0 — The Grizzlies are atop the Old Oregon League standings at 2-0 after handing the visiting Golden Eagles a 25-9, 25-10, 25-7 loss.
“We started the match off slow with some service errors, but the girls quickly turned it around and refocused,” Griswold coach Kaitlyn Ferguson said. “We’re proud of the work they’re doing and improvements we’re seeing both in their skills and mental game.”
Sophomore Natalie Boland had five kills and 14 attempts for the Grizzlies (3-5 overall), while Ellie Morris had five service aces.
For the Golden Eagles (0-4 overall, 0-2 OOL), Liana Higheagle had five kills and one block, and Annalise Watchman had four assists and three digs.
PILOT ROCK 3, HUNTINGTON 0 — Kessa Litfin had seven aces and nine assists as the Rockets derailed the Locomotives 25-18, 26-24, 25-14 in a nonleague road win.
“In the second set, we battled back from an 11-point deficit to win,” Pilot Rock coach Jen Porter said. “Everyone worked hard and it was a true team effort.”
Coley Gibbs added six kills and eight digs for the Rockets (2-7 overall), while Kashley Golden and Gracee Hemphill each had five kills, Jada Deist had 11 digs, and Aubrey Corwin five assists.
Pilot Rock will host Imbler and Cove in Old Oregon League action Saturday.
PENDLETON 3, BAKER 1 — Every point was of the utmost importance in the Bucks’ 25-23, 23-25, 27-25, 25-23 Greater Oregon League opening win over the host Bulldogs.
“We fought a hard battle and won in four,” Pendleton coach Jodi Primus said. “It took a whole team effort and mental toughness to win some close sets tonight in their house with their student body. I was proud of the girls for being good teammates and staying positive.”
Josie Jenness led the Bucks with 40 assists and seven digs, while Avery Brown had 16 kills and two solo blocks, Nicole Somnis had 12 kills, and Finley Evans had 10 digs.
Evans and Sophie Nelson led Pendleton in serve receive.
Pendleton (5-2 overall), which is on a three-match win streak, will play in the North Marion Tournament on Saturday in Aurora.
