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Crusaders open up offense and take pair from Chiloquin Top-ranked St. Mary's worked on some new wrinkles since its last volleyball match a week ago. The Crusaders demonstrated the changes in a Southern Cascade League doubleheader home victory over Chiloquin Saturday. St. Mary's defeated the Queens 15-9 and 15-12 in the opener, then completed the sweep with a 15-6 and 15-9 victory. "One of the main things we were trying to focus on was running new plays," St. Mary's coach James Joy said. "We're trying to run a quicker offense." In the opening match, Chiloquin grabbed a 4-1 lead in each game. Both times the Crusaders responded to take command. In the first game, Kristen Zielony served six straight points, with three aces, to give St. Mary's at 7-4 advantage, and the Crusaders methodically pulled away. In the second game, St. Mary's rattled off 12 unanswered points to take a 13-4 lead. With the score tied at 9 in the second game of match 2, Maren Zielony served out the match. Maren Zielony had 13 kills and 18 digs on the day, while sister Kristen had eight kills, 10 blocks and seven aces. St. Mary's freshman Melissa Anderson was inserted into the starting lineup and responded with five kills and five digs. CLEARWATER CLASSIC -- At Bend, fourth-ranked Ashland lost to No. 2 Barlow of Gresham 15-6 and 15-13 in the finals of the 16-team tournament. The Grizzlies advanced to the finals with a 15-12, 11-15 15-13 semifinal victory against top-ranked Central Catholic. Ashland has handed Central Catholic its only two losses this season. Ashland went undefeated in pool action, defeating Sheldon 15-8 and 15-4, Bend 15-6 and 15-6 and Wilson 15-12 and 15-2. In the opening round of championship play, Ashland defeated South Eugene 16-14 and 15-3, then knocked off St. Mary's Academy of Portland in the quarterfinals 15-3 and 15-5. North Medford and South Medford both lost in the opening round of bracket competition. NORTH VALLEY TOURNAMENT -- At Merlin, Cascade Christian advanced to the semifinals of the 10-team tournament before falling to the host team 15-3 and 15-3. In pool play, the Challengers split matches, using rally scoring with Phoenix (15-11, 10-15), Bonanza (11-15, 15-11) and Philomath (5-15, 15-7). Rogue River defeated Cascade in pool action 15-10 and 15-8. The Challengers upset Brookings in bracket competition, 15-11, 8-15 and 15-9. Christine McCandless and Kelly Clarke led the Challengers frontline, Bethany Weaver and Shelly Nicholson performed well defensively and setter Whitney Brookins had an effective tournament. PROSPECT 15-15, NEW HOPE CHRISTIAN 8-1 -- At Grants Pass, Prospect's serving proved too much for New Hope in the Skyline A League South Division match. Kary Lenderman served eight points in each game and combined for 12 aces in the match. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.