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Phoenix nips Rogue River, makes state playoffs PHOENIX � Rogue River and Phoenix squared off for the fourth time this season Tuesday in a Skyline Conference volleyball playoff match. And for the fourth time, Phoenix came away the winner, 15-12, 16-14. "I wouldn�t want to play them again," Phoenix coach Tom Murphy said. "Each time it gets closer and closer." The victory puts the Pirates in a Class 3A state playoff match at Sutherlin at 7 p.m. Saturday, with a state tournament berth at stake. "We served the ball very well tonight," said Murphy. "Not only was our percentage good, but our placement and aggressiveness with the serve was very good." Senior middle back Kelly Goodkin paced the Pirates at the service line with a 12-for-12 effort, including eight points. Phoenix outside hitters Sutton Jackson and April Darby were instrumental in the victory with bookend performances of eight kills and seven digs each. "Both of them had not only good nights at the net, but had good defensive games, which was important to us," said Murphy. Pirate middles Tiffany Ross and Lelani Saurman made their presence felt with 10 kills and 13 blocks between them. "They did a good job of altering Rogue River�s offensive attack," said Murphy. Senior defensive specialist Erin Toews keyed the Pirate offense with effective passing and contributed six digs, while sophomore setter Kelsey Russell distributed the ball efficiently. Phoenix held the lead throughout Game 1, but the score was close all the way. In the second set, Phoenix built an 8-1 lead, but the Chiefs closed to 12-11. With the score tied at 14, sophomore Jennifer Dunlap served out the match. "They passed the ball well, especially in the second game," said Murphy. "In the first game, we were able to block their offensive attack on some very key points." Rogue River�s attack was led by sophomore Katie Glasscock (six kills, 18 digs) and senior Emily Sutherland (six kills). On the service line, Kristi Frederick and Ashleigh Artoff were both 11 for 11. LAKEVIEW 15-15, HENLEY 10-8 � At Klamath Falls, the Honkers won the tiebreaker and go to the state tournament as the Skyline Conference�s No. 1 seed after the playoff at Oregon Tech. Henley, which tied Lakeview for the regular-season title, must win a playoff to advance to the tournament. The Hornets host the No. 3 team from the Farwest League on Saturday. Senior outside hitter Jamie Ruda paced the Honkers with eight kills and went 11-for-11 from the service line. Southern Cascade League CASCADE CHRISTIAN 15-15, BONANZA 3-10 � At Scenic Middle School, senior Kelly Clark had eight kills and two digs leading the Challengers to a win in an SCL playoff contest. Junior Whitney Brookins added 26 assists and four aces for the Challengers. Brookins served eight points in Game 1. The Challengers (25-5) will host Lost River, a 15-12 and 16-14 playoff winner over Chiloquin, on Thursday. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.