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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend October 11, 2006 North Medford's Natalie Lorenz sets the ball up at the net for Lauren Berger during Tuesday�s Southwest Conference match with Sheldon. The Black Tornado won in five games. (Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli) Black Tornado fends off Irish North Medford pulls into a tie atop SWC standings with victory By KEVIN GOFF Mail Tribune It was simple. A victory Tuesday night and North Medford would move into contention for the Southwest Conference volleyball crown. The task at hand, however, wouldn't come easy with fifth-ranked and league-leading Sheldon visiting the North Medford High gym. The sixth-ranked Black Tornado went back and forth with its new conference rival before clinching a heart-stopping 25-22, 25-20, 15-25, 19-25, 15-13 victory to hand Sheldon its first league defeat. The two teams are now tied atop the SWC with 5-1 records. North Medford, which dropped the opening match between the schools on Sept. 21, held 6-0 and 10-3 leads in the fifth and deciding game but had to hold off a furious Sheldon rally to claim the much-needed win. Advertisement "We talked about needing this win to have a chance at the title," said North Medford senior Jenna Dohren. "Everyone stepped up big time tonight." Dohren in particular. The undersized outside hitter was the perfect changeup to the power of 6-foot-2 Lauren Berger in the final game. Dohren keyed the early run with four key kills and would finish with 11 kills and 12 digs for the night. "(Dohren) helped us get that big lead," said North coach Ron Beick. "We allow our setters to dictate where they want to go with the ball. It turned out to be the right decision." Dohren dropped in the first two points of the fifth game and, after Sheldon crept to within 6-3, had two kills over the next four North points for a 10-3 lead. But the Irish wouldn't quit. Senior middle Heidi Kamp slammed down two kills and North Medford had three hitting errors as Sheldon climbed back to tie at 12-all. A pair of serving errors and a hitting error, however, helped the Tornado clinch the match. "I was so proud of the way we fought back," said Sheldon coach Cathy Nelson. "I hate to see the last few points decided like that." Berger, a senior middle, had a team-high 14 kills and 10 blocks to lead North. Kylie Schwarm added a balanced effort with 10 kills, 30 assists and three service aces, while senior libero Rebecca Treger had 16 digs. Hannah Thompson led the Irish with 19 digs. North Medford (23-5 overall) caught fire early in both of the first two games. The Tornado led 9-4 and then 17-12 in Game 1, only to watch as Sheldon fought back to tie at 21-all. North took advantage of a hitting error to snag a 24-22 advantage and put the game away on a lengthy rally. On the final point, junior Whitney Hodnett came up with a one-handed, diving dig and Berger had a crucial block which forced Kamp to ultimately send her kill attempt wide for the game-clinching point. "Early on I thought our ball control was very good," said Beick. "We were energized and more on the attack." The Irish had 19 hitting errors over the first two games to fall into the two-game hole. "We were really out of synch," said Nelson. "It was frustrating because we don't normally make those mistakes." Sheldon, though, did regroup behind a 6-2 alignment and the strong play of Kamp and senior outside Chelsea Fosback. The hard-hitting duo energized the Irish with a combined 37 kills to help even the match. "They clearly raised their level of play," said Beick, "and we didn't respond." But North Medford did respond just in time to even the conference race heading into the second half of the league season. "North Medford is a very good team," said Nelson. "This could be a great, friendly rivalry." Reach reporter Kevin Goff at 776-4483, or e-mail [email protected] Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com