ANNIE FOWLER. The CUJ
HEPPNER — It’s always a battle when the TigerScots and Mustangs play, and Thursday’s match was no different.
Weston-McEwen escaped with a 26-24, 27-25, 26-24 victory to upset fifth-ranked Heppner on the road in Blue Mountain Conference action.
“So incredibly proud of these girls,” said W-M coach Marie Cain, whose team evened their season record against Heppner. “What a show of grit, teamwork and passion. Truly a team effort tonight. At key moments tonight, the Ward sisters (Bre and Kalia) took control at the net blocking and racking up kills. Bre’s performance tonight was a foundation to being aggressive at the net.”
It was the first conference loss for the Mustangs (19-6 overall, 6-1 BMC).
“We had a tough loss tonight, but I’m proud of how we never stopped fighting,” Heppner coach Mindy Wilson said. “This group has the character to respond the right way. We’ll learn from it, rally together and be better because of it. It could have gone either way many times.”
Catherine Lindsay had 14 kills for the Mustangs, while Isa Payne had 11 kills, five blocks and 19 digs, Maya Payne had 25 assists and six digs, Cici Stefani 16 digs and two aces, Avree Lathrop 15 digs, and Olivia Ogden 11 digs
The TigerScots improved to 10-9 overall and 5-2 in conference play.
“Our setters Mya (Bryan) and Reagan (Pickard) did a great job of moving the ball around, which opened up hitting opportunities for us against a big Heppner block. They played really smart tonight.”
