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SOC VOLLEYBALL Cavers surprise Black Tornado with road win North Medford's volleyball team suffered a momentum-killing blow Thursday night during an 8-15, 15-11, 10-15 home loss to Grants Pass. The first game was neck-and-neck, with the Cavers holding a 7-6 lead when starting outside hitter Jill Carrigan went down with a sprained ankle. Carrigan came up lame after a collision at the net and Grants Pass never looked back, going off on an 8-2 run to close the game. "We didn't start real strong, but we were still close," said North Medford coach Ron Beick. "When Jill went down, they just seized the momentum and ran away with it." The second game started slowly with each team going through the rotation six times, resulting in a 6-6 standoff. The Cavers grabbed a 10-9 lead before North Medford rallied to a 13-10 advantage behind Kendra Mitchell's 4-for-4 serving effort. Kara Hwang served out the final point for the Black Tornado to even the match at one game apiece. Grants Pass regained the momentum in the final game. "The momentum changed about three times there in that final game," said Beick. "We missed some key serves that proved costly for us." Carrigan returned from her injury, which turned out to be a minor ankle sprain, and led the Black Tornado with 12 kills, 11 digs and three blocks. Kendra Mitchell pitched in with 10 kills, seven digs and four blocks for the Tornado. North Medford fell to 4-4 in the SOC and 6-6 overall with the loss. KLAMATH UNION 15-15-16, ROSEBURG 9-17-14 -- At Roseburg, Maggie Fisher served six straight points to help Klamath Union rally from a 9-3 deficit in the third game. Kylie Bray served the final two points for the match. The Pelicans' defensive effort and aggressive play proved to be the difference in the third game. Roseburg was led by junior outside Megan Morley with 12 kills and senior middle Kari Gerretsen added 11. Stephanie Nicklason provided the Indians with 11 digs. ASHLAND 15-15, EAGLE POINT 6-7 -- At Eagle Point, junior right side Leslea Brown had a career-high eight kills as fourth-ranked Ashland (18-3, 8-0 SOC) remained undefeated in SOC action. Eagle Point had difficulty passing against Ashland's serve, which was led by Chelsea Johnson with three aces. Loriana Berman had a strong defensive match for the Grizzlies with eight digs. CRATER 15-9-15, SOUTH MEDFORD 9-15-13 -- At Central Point, Crystal Galedrige registered an ace for the go-ahead point and then served out the match as Crater edged South Medford in a tightly-contested SOC match. Galedrige, a junior outside hitter, finished with nine kills and eight digs. Junior middle Jody McLeod added five kills and two blocks and sophomore right side Brandi Hill had nine digs, four kills and three aces. South Medford built a 6-3 lead in the third game but Crater rallied for an 8-8 tie and it was nip and tuck thereafter. The win boosted Crater to 3-5 in the SOC and 5-6 overall. South Medford fell to 3-5 in conference play. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.