Document text
57 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, October 9, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 6, 2004 North Medford�s Erica Schultz, right, and Whitney Hodnett go up for a block during Tuesday�s match with Eagle Point. Mail Tribune / Andrew Mariman Tornado blocks EP’s path North Medford survives Game 2 scare to turn back Eagles By ROB McCALLUM Mail Tribune For a moment, the Eagle Point volleyball team was on top of the world. The visiting Eagles led North Medford and had all the momentum on their side. But before Eagle Point could conjure up dreams of an upset, it fell back to earth and the Black Tornado rallied from a Game 2 deficit to sweep the Southern Oregon Conference match Tuesday, 25-16, 28-26, 25-19. "They are a good team," said North coach Ron Beick. "We just had a few too many weapons, and that stretched their defense. We responded to a test by digging and serve passing better." The Black Tornado (8-1 SOC) easily won Game 1, but the Eagles had an upset brewing in the next game, leading 23-17 with the serve. Advertisement An ace by setter Annie Mannenbach and a crucial kill by middle Shannon Richardson gave the Eagles their largest lead of the night. But with their backs against the wall, the North players rattled off five straight points. Defensive specialist Kelsey Hamilton snuck the ball into a gap in the Eagle defense with her left hand and immediately served up an ace. Setter Allanah Munson scored a kill and Eagle Point called a timeout after a ball-handling error. Out of the timeout, Heidi Sandgren’s kill completed the comeback. "Heidi’s kill was a back-breaker for them," Beick said. "When you rally from six down, it’s pretty hard to come back." Both teams exchanged service errors, and after more sloppy play, the score was tied at 26. Following another Eagle ball-handling error, outside hitter Lauren Berger served the game-winning ace. "We missed a couple of key serves, and that was enough to take the wind out of us," said Eagle Point coach Briana Groves. "It’s heartbreaking." The Tornado won Game 3 in similar fashion to the opening game, thanks in part to inspired play by Munson. The senior started the game off with a kill after her own block and ended the game and match with a stuff block. Berger was the spark plug in Game 1, igniting an 8-0 run with a kill and two aces. Senior outside hitter Jessica Durham led the Black Tornado with 12 kills and 13 digs. Hamilton led four players with 10 or more digs with 18. Munson had 23 assists and Berger had five blocks. "We showed in spurts that we could play with any team in the conference," Groves said. "But they are just spurts. We weren’t able to finish tonight." Richardson led Eagle Point with 11 kills. Outside hitter Shannon Richardson had 22 digs and 10 kills to go along with a perfect serving night. The win allowed North to maintain pace with Roseburg for the conference lead. "The girls have done a good job of not being concerned with records and upcoming games and things like that," Beick said. "That mattered when it counted." The Eagles fell to 4-5, two games out of fourth place. "North is such a tough opponent that they (Eagles) tried to play perfect," Groves said. "And when you do that, you play tense. Then you make more mental errors." North hosts Crater on Thursday while the Eagles return home to face Roseburg. "In the second half of league play, we will have to beat the Eagles Points and the Craters and the Klamaths if we want to stay in the hunt," Beick said. "These next few weeks will determine a lot." Reach reporter Rob McCallum at 776-4480 Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities