Document text
64 °F 5 Day Forecast Tuesday, October 14, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental 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 Email Story to a Friend October 1, 2003 North Medford's Jessica Walters, left, spikes the ball past Ashland's Kristina Voskes and Kate Morris during Tuesday's tilt. Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli Grizz slips by North Ashland topples North in five-game match to remain tied with Roseburg atop the SOC standings By TIM PYLE Mail Tribune It all came down to a race to eight. And it was Ashland in a runaway. In a Southern Oregon Conference volleyball showdown Tuesday night at North Medford High, the visiting Grizzlies and the Black Tornado staged an "epic" — said Ashland’s Josh Rohlfing — battle that had momentum mimicking a yo-yo. Fourth-ranked North Medford took Games 1 and 3, while the fifth-ranked Grizzlies claimed Games 2 and 4. Advertisement Midway through the decisive fifth game, the score stood, fittingly, at 7-7. That’s when an Ashland avalanche buried the Tornado and ended a 17-25, 25-19, 23-25, 25-21, 15-8 marathon. "We just pulled it out of our hearts because we wanted it so bad," Grizzlies senior outside hitter Chey Hale said. Senior outside Chelsea Van Lehn started the match-ending surge with a back-row kill. Senior middle Erika Boehnke blocked what looked like a sure kill for senior outside Laura Tarkon. Junior middle Amy Christy’s spike hit net for North, and Ashland was out to a 10-7 lead. Following a Tornado timeout, senior outside Corey Van Landingham’s serve couldn’t clear the net, and North was within 10-8. But the Grizzlies dropped the hammer, with Hale’s hand the catalyst. After Tarkon served into the net, Hale’s left-side, deflected kill made it 12-8. Senior outside Jenna Siebenlist’s cross-court try was long for the Tornado, and Hale unleashed a laser off Tarkon down the left side. Emily Stone, a senior defensive specialist, earned her fourth straight service point to finish the match when senior middle Stephanie Jensen’s right-side hit sailed long. "We just picked up everything," Van Lehn said of the 8-1 spurt to close. "We were so fired up, and we knew the fifth game was a race to 15. We were tied at 7. ... We were so close, and we just pushed our way to the win." The victory boosts Ashland a match ahead of North in a three-way SOC title tussle and gives the Grizzlies revenge for their lone league loss, which was in four games to the Tornado on Sept. 8. Ashland and ninth-ranked Roseburg are tied atop the SOC with 7-1 marks, while North (13-3 overall) slips to third at 6-2. "I’ve been a part of some amazing comebacks and some amazing matches, but this has got to be right there at the top," said Rohlfing, who is seeking a third conference crown in his seventh year in charge. "With all the things weighing on tonight’s match included in the win and having it go to five ... that’s probably one of the biggest wins I’ve had during my career here at Ashland." The contest brimmed with intensity from the beginning, but the Tornado was the sharper team early. A 12-1 surge broke Game 1 wide open at 14-3, and North let the Grizzlies no closer than four points in posting a 25-17 win. "We served very well, and they really didn’t pass serve well at all," Tornado head coach Ron Beick said of the opener. "In credit to them, they came back and figured it out, and we struggled a little bit more. ... That was the main difference in the match overall was the serve passing." Ashland responded with a 25-19 Game 2 victory, clinching it on a 9-4 roll. The third game was a war, with five early ties turning into a Grizzlies’ edge until late. Down 21-17, North tore off a 5-0 spree, then won, 25-23, on sophomore outside Jessica Walters’ left-side kill off Ashland’s block. The Grizzlies again bounced back, using an 8-3 charge to take command after Game 4’s seventh tie at 15-all. Ashland’s 25-21 win extended the match to a fifth game. "Game 4 was the one that we needed to get," said Walters, whose team held early leads — though never more than two points — before the Grizzlies prevailed late. "We kind of let that one slip through. We all wanted it; we just made little, silly mistakes to give it up." In the clutch, Ashland was elevated by the experience of eight seniors who are trying to lead the Grizzlies to back-to-back SOC titles. Key plays by virtually everyone on the court didn’t hurt Ashland, either. "They just relied on each other," Rohlfing said. "We’ve gone through matches this year ... where we have a hard time relying on each other, because we’re individually trying to control the match on our own. "And tonight, they relied on each other. They knew when they got down ... someone was gonna pull them up. It didn’t have to be the same person every time." Statistically, North was paced by Siebenlist’s 28 passes and 11 digs, Walters’ 12 kills and eight aces, eight kills apiece from senior middle Brittany Lawson and Christy and 39 assists, 13 digs and five kills from junior setter Allanah Munson. The Grizzlies got Hale’s 16 kills and 13 digs, Van Lehn’s 14 digs and 12 kills and Van Landingham’s 12 kills. Setters Lindsey Stone, a sophomore, and Kate Morris, a senior, accumulated 27 and 20 assists, respectively. Most importantly, Ashland won the race to eight. "It’s such a big win," Van Lehn said. "Ever since the first match (against the Tornado), we’ve been so excited to play them again." Reach reporter Tim Pyle at 776-4483 or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times