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PREP VB: South sweeps GP for 3rd straight SWC win By Mail Tribune staff Sep 13, 2022 09:50 PM A A The South Medford volleyball team continued its strong start to Southwest Conference play Tuesday night, picking up a straight-set win over Grants Pass 25-19, 25-16, 25-23 at the Panthers’ gym. South senior Katie Clevenger led the way with a team-high 12 kills and added 12 digs and a block, while fellow senior Baylee Davis had 24 assists. The Panthers (6-1, 3-0 SWC), who have won four straight, have lost just two sets in their first three conference matches. “We had two big wins to start conference play last week, so we were definitely ready to go to try and solidify that third conference win,” said South Medford head coach Robin Akpan. “The girls started really strong and set the pace early.” South built a big early lead in the first set, only to see Grants Pass rally and come within two points at 20-18. The Panthers were able to hold off the Cavers’ charge to get the early advantage. The two teams were tied 14-14 midway through the second set, with two GP hitting errors giving South Medford an 18-15 lead, one the Panthers never relinquished. The third set was just as close, with South having to hold off the Cavers late to wrap up the straight-set victory. Freshman Mayen Akpan and senior Naomi Johnson both finished with four kills and two blocks against Grants Pass (2-3, 0-2), while junior Lola Horton had three kills and one block. South libero Cameron Christian, a senior, had 17 digs and two aces. “We had to make adjustments in terms of where the balls were going to and who were looking for to run our offense through,” said Akpan. “After we were in rhythm in both of the first two sets, we were able to close out. In the third set, we were able to bring in some of our reinforcements and look at what our offense was. “I’m proud of our entire team being able to finish the match in three even though we were running lineups out there that weren’t our normal ones.” NORTH MEDFORD 3, WILLAMETTE 0: Senior setter Maddie Blake helped host North Medford come from behind in the second set after falling behind early and the Black Tornado recorded a 25-17, 27-25, 25-20 win for its first Southwest Conference victory of the season. Blake had two of her four aces during the extended second set and had four kills in the match while freshman right side hitter Kristina Atonio led the Black Tornado (3-3, 1-1 SWC) with seven kills. Sophomore outside hitter Makenzee Running came away with 10 digs and five aces for North Medford while AJ Brooks added four kills. CRATER 3, ASHLAND 0: At Central Point, senior Kendra Bittle posted 13 kills, eight digs and three aces as ninth-ranked Crater captured the 25-14, 25-8, 25-16 win over Ashland in its Midwestern League opener at Scenic Middle School. Bittle, who also served up two of her three aces during the Comets’ six-point run in the second set, was the beneficiary of 34 assists by fellow senior setter Kate Stidham. Stidham also had two aces while senior outside hitter Madison Kocina recorded six kills, eight digs, three aces and three blocks. Sophomore middle hitter Alexa Gugliotta added seven kills for the Comets (4-2, 1-0 MWL). Despite the loss, the Grizzlies (0-4, 0-2) played one of their best matches of the season against one of their toughest opponents. Grizzlies senior libero Maile Cooper racked up 14 digs while Kaimalia Mielke had a strong performance at the service line with a five-point run and an ace during the third set. Ashland’s Lainie Carter chipped in three blocks and a pair of kills. CASCADE CHRISTIAN 3, BROOKINGS-HARBOR 0: Ellie Harrington scored eight of Cascade Christian’s 28 aces and Molly Griffin had five aces and 24 assists to lead the host Challengers to a Far West League sweep, 25-12, 25-11, 25-9. Cascade Christian (3-4, 1-0 FWL) also finished with 28 kills, with Poppy Freeman posting nine and Claire Knips adding six against Brookings-Harbor (1-5, 0-1). volleyball.jpg