Mail Tribune Sports - Pirates rally past Mazama

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Pirates rally past Mazama Phoenix High's girls volleyball team found itself on the short end of a 7-0 score early in the opening game of its match against Mazama Thursday night. But Kathrin Ecsh of the Pirates had an answer for the fast start. Ecsh served 15 straight points to carry the Pirates to a 15-7 win in the opening game. With the momentum from Esch's stunning performance, the Pirates rolled to a 15-5 win in Game 2 to close out the match. "Kathrin was certainly the story of Game 1," said Phoenix coach Tom Murphy. "I've never seen anybody serve 15 straight points in a varsity game. "She was doing a good job of splitting their backs," said Murphy. "And they (the Vikings) weren't communicating very well." The Pirates moved to 17-6 overall and 7-5 in the Skyline Conference. Sutton Jackson had seven kills to lead the Pirates in the second-game win. Setter Janene Murphy of Phoenix had 21 assists in the match. HENLEY 15-15, HIDDEN VALLEY 2-0 -- At Murphy, the first and last-place teams in the Skyline Conference hooked up and the result was predictable as Henley needed just 25 minutes to dispose of winless Hidden Valley. ROGUE RIVER 15-6-15, ILLINOIS VALLEY 7-15-12 -- At Rogue River, freshman Ashleigh Artoff filled in for injured Cheryl Jiles and picked up 15 assists in the first game for Rogue River in its Skyline Conference win. Jiles injured her ankle in pre-game warmups and had to be replaced by Artoff and sophomore Rebecca Grinde. In the third game, the Chieftains jumped out to a 8-0 lead but had to hold off Illinois Valley. Grinde and Katie Glasscock each had 12 digs while Kelly Simmons was 19-for-20 at the service line for Rogue River. Jennifer Kay had 12 kills to lead Rogue River. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune   Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.