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North makes strong net showing WEST LINN � North Medford learned it can compete with the state�s best volleyball teams Saturday at the West Linn Tournament. North Medford along with South Medford, Ashland, Grants Pass and Klamath Union from the Southern Oregon Conference, participated in the 32-team event. But only North Medford advanced into the eight-team championship bracket. Gresham eventually defeated Barlow for the title. The Black Tornado won its pool � one of eight that teams were divided into � by sweeping two games from Reynolds and Wilson and splitting a pair of games with Wilsonville. The winners of the eight pools were placed in the championship bracket. North Medford was seeded eighth and drew top-seeded West Linn in the single elimination portion of the tournament. North dropped a three-game match to the Lions, 15-6, 11-15, 16-14. In the decisive third game, the Black Tornado held leads of 12-9 and 13-10. "We weren�t able to put it away," North Medford coach Ron Beick said. "It was a little discouraging, but we�re making progress." The Black Tornado received strong net play in the tournament from Jill Carrigan, Kendra Michell and Candace Fleener. Ashland finished second in its pool and lost in the title game of the Silver Division to LaSalle of Milwaukie 15-10, 15-9. The Grizzlies defeated South Salem 15-5, 15-9 and McNary 3-15, 15-8, 15-9 before losing to LaSalle. South Medford and Klamath Union finished third in their respective pools and Grants Pass placed fourth. LEBANON TOURNAMENT � At Lebanon, Crater placed second, losing in the finals to Churchill of Eugene, 15-6, 15-7. The Comets went undefeated in pool play, then downed Lebanon 15-6, 13-15, 15-12 (rally score) in the semifinals. Crater�s pool wins were over North Eugene, West Albany and Newberg. Janell Sapienza was strong on the outside for Crater, Carissa Nafie was dominant in the middle, Megan Dode passed well and Brandi Hall was solid on serves and played fine defense. The Comets are 5-2 overall. TALLMAN TOURNAMENT � At Lakeview, St. Mary�s won three of five matches and finished second in the tournament, losing twice, including the finals match, to host Lakeview. The Honkers won the crown with a 15-6, 15-3 victory. They also topped the Crusaders in the second round, 15-7, 15-8. St. Mary�s, led by all-tourney selections Lani Brophy and Kristen Zielony, defeated Mazama 15-6, 15-11, Tulelake 15-5, 15-10 and Bonanza 15-8, 15-13 to raise its record to 6-2. In five matches, Brophy had 230 sets � an average of 46 per match � 64 assists and 16 kills off dumps. Zielony was near-perfect on serve receive and added 34 kills and 50 digs. Melissa Anderson was strong on defense with 24 digs, including eight against Bonanza. EAGLE POINT 15-15, NORTH VALLEY 3-12 � At Merlin, Eagle Point used strong serving, especially by Jamie Williams in the first game, for a non-conference victory against the Class 3A Skyline Conference team. Williams had seven points from the line in the opener. Senior middle Adrian Lass led the Eagles at the net with eight kills in the match. The Eagles used the second game to get some playing time for their reserves. Backup setter Jodie Raigosa provided 10 assists, while freshman Amanda Grieve was strong at the net. CASCADE CHRISTIAN 15-15, UMPQUA VALLEY CHRISTIAN 5-8 � At Roseburg, Cascade Christian had 14 service aces in the 30-minute match. Senior Kelly Clarke and junior Crystle Holtz led the Challengers (6-0) at the net with five kills each. Cascade junior setter Whitney Brookins contributed 25 assists and two blocks. Cascade Christian opens Southern Cascade League play Thursday at Bonanza. Obituaries | Sports | Business | Classifieds | Tempo | Prime Times | So Oregon Sites | Outdoor Journal | Subscribe | Contact | Movies | Advertise | Real Estate Showcase | Archive | Editorials | Letters to the editor | Religion | Wake-up Call | NIE | Cyber Chef | Job Network | So Oregon Weather | WSJ Northwest | Forums | AP Wire | AP Money | F.A.Q. | Awards Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. The Community Newspaper Subsidiary of Dow Jones & Co, Inc Copyright �The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA