The No. 4 Bucks (19-5), who are in the quarterfinals for the first time since 2012, will open state play at 11 a.m. Nov. 8, against Stayton at North Bend High School.
By ANNIE FOWLER, THE CUJ
PENDLETON — After a tumultuous start to the season, Pendleton has done nothing but make memories every time out on the court.
The Bucks punched their ticket to the 4A state quarterfinals Saturday, Nov. 2, with a 25-18, 25-15, 25-20 victory over Estacada in the first round of the playoffs at Warberg Court.
“I told them before the match that they are the better team,” Pendleton coach Jodi Primus said. “If we pass well, we will be OK. They will have a hard time defending our offense.”
With setter Josie Jenness running the offense, the Bucks pounded away at the ball, with Nicole Somnis leading the way with eight kills.
“I couldn’t be more proud of her,” Primus said of Somnis. “I know how much she wanted to go to the state tournament. She has worked so hard.”
The No. 4 Bucks (19-5), who are in the quarterfinals for the first time since 2012, will open state play at 11 a.m. Nov. 8, against Stayton at North Bend High School.
The Rangers, who played Pendleton at the Corbett Tournament earlier this season, saw their four-game win streak come to an end.
“We just didn’t play as well as we have been playing,” Estacada coach Susan Doan said. “Pendleton played well. They served tough and they picked apart our defense. It’s unfortunate we played that poorly. Pendleton played a fundamental game of pass, set, hit.”
The Bucks led 6-2 early in the first set, then stretched their lead to 20-13 and 24-15 before the Rangers tacked on three points. Somnis put the set away with a kill.
In the second set, Somnis put the Bucks up 5-0 with four service points and Finley Evans later extended the lead to 13-6 with four points.
A string of unforced errors by the Bucks allowed the Rangers to pull within 13-12, but Somnis served the last four points of the set and Kelsi Primus laid down a kill as Pendleton secured set two.
The only lead Estacada had in the match was at 2-1 in the third set. The Rangers looked to make an early exit, trailing 22-13, but they did not go quietly.
Abby Behrman, who dominated at the net for the Rangers, had her say at the service line too, reeling off six consecutive points, including three aces, to pull her team within 22-20.
The Bucks won a battle at the net to end the Rangers’ string of points and Lexie Willman served out the match with an ace and a kill by Somnis.
Jenness handed out 25 assists, Finley Evans had 20 digs, and Avery Brown, Sophie Nelson and Willman each had five kills.
“We have an awesome setter and a great libero (Evans),” Primus said. “Josie is one of those special competitors and loves to be pushed. Passing is underrated in this sport by the spectators, but it is crucial. As long as we are serve receiving, we will be OK.”
