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Varsity 541 NEWS NOW Group pushes for LNG pipeline in ads ... Clad for a cause ... Salmon derby will help amputee ... Group pushes for LNG pipeline in ads ... Clad for a cause ... Salmon derby will help amputee ... PREP NOTEBOOK Trophy Time Ashland netters pick up state hardware for first time in six years Comment By Kris Henry Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Kris Henry Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 10, 2015 at 2:00 AM By Kris Henry Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 10, 2015 at 2:00 AM » Social News Ashland’s volleyball program had quite a run brewing from 2005-09, securing top-four state trophies in all five seasons. The Grizzlies’ hope is that this past weekend will be the start of another such streak. Playing some of its best volleyball of the season, Ashland advanced to the Class 5A state tournament for the first time since 2009 this past weekend and walked away with some long-awaited hardware by placing sixth overall. The trophy was the only one earned by a Rogue Valley volleyball program at any classification, and the 10th in Grizzlies history. “Getting to the state tournament is a huge achievement,” said Ashland head coach Robin Akpan on Monday. “That top eight, it is a difficult thing to do and I’m really proud of them for working as hard as they did and the commitment that these 12 girls put in this season to get there.” “What I love about my team is we ended the season on such a high note, playing our best volleyball and just fully engaged and going out there to play our best game,” added the fifth-year coach. “That’s what we got to do Friday and twice on Saturday.” After rallying for a 23-25, 25-19, 25-14, 25-15 victory over Sandy in the first round of the 5A playoffs to reach the eight-team tournament at Liberty High in Hillsboro, Ashland battled some nerves in a 25-23, 25-15, 25-20 quarterfinals loss to No. 2 seed Lebanon. Undaunted, the Grizzlies returned Saturday and showed tremendous character by topping Silverton, 25-20, 25-16, 23-25, 15-25, 15-11, in the consolation semifinals before falling to top-seeded Marist, 25-23, 25-18, 25-12, in the fourth-place final. “For the seniors, it’s such a great pinnacle for their high school career,” Akpan said of the state tournament experience. “For our juniors and sophomores, I think they are hungry to come back there. They would want to come back next week if they could. What’s so wonderful about it is it gives you so much ambition and excitement heading into that next season and, as a coach, that’s really great to have that excitement coming out of a season and to get the mindset of wanting to get into preparation to get back there.” For a while, it didn’t seem like there was anything but a trophy life for the Grizzlies. Ashland started slowly with a pair of third-place trophies in 1988 and ‘89 and didn’t score again until taking sixth in 1999 — one year after Akpan, formerly Robin Lawrence during her playing days, graduated from the program. In 2001 the Grizzlies took a step forward to fifth place and truly served notice in 2005 under the guidance of Josh Rohlfing by winning the Class 4A state championship with wins over Jesuit, McNary and Central Catholic. The 2006 reclassification removed some large-school obstacles in Ashland’s path and the Grizzlies capitalized by alternating fourth- and third-place finishes, respectively, from 2006 to 2009. Thereafter, however, it’s been a rocky road of first-round exits to not even qualifying for the state playoff round in 2013. “It is attainable to get to that top eight every year but it takes a commitment and it takes a lot of people who care a lot,” said Akpan. “Everybody this year was focused on, what are our goals and how do we get there, and, for me, it was so exciting to see.” Ashland finished 23-9 overall and had a host of players contribute, but none more notably than senior right-side hitter Ellie Case, who was a second-team all-tournament and first-team all-conference selection. “Whenever we were in trouble she would get the ball and she would find a place for it,” said Akpan. “Ellie just blossomed this year with being able to be that go-to person and the one we all relied on for that.” Case combined for 46 kills in 89 attempts during Ashland’s three state tournament matches and also totaled nine stuff blocks. Senior setter Karlie Richardson also played an instrumental role in Hillsboro, from her consistent energy and upbeat nature to coordinating the Grizzlies’ attack. The Phoenix High transfer doled out 86 assists and totaled nine aces at the tournament. “It did take a little bit to shake out those nerves but Karlie really helped keep that mentality that, we’re good, and helping prepare the girls from there,” said Akpan. “Really setting can be not a very glorious position, but she’s the person that gives hitters the ball and ties those passes and ball control together for us and she just did a great job of that, especially in the Silverton match.” Of all the matches, the consolation semifinal win over Silverton stood out as Ashland’s shining moment. The Grizzlies won the first two sets 25-20 and 25-16 and nearly pulled off the sweep, but Silverton (16-9) extended the match with a 25-23 win, then followed it a 25-15 victory. “Their defense just picked up and they dug everything,” said Akpan. “We had a hard time just finding the floor, and we had to make some changes offensively hitting to different places and our ball placement had to change so we could find those spots again.” The pivotal fifth set, won 15-11 despite a 5-1 deficit to start, proved to be a back-and-forth affair that Akpan said was determined as much by those off the court as on it. “The shift for us was our bench,” said the coach. “It’s one thing to say we had great players on the floor but it’s another thing when the bench is just jumping out of the gym yelling and excited. There was no chance of disappointment out there, they were just so loud and we had the momentum on our side because of that.” Richardson had 39 assists, five kills, four aces and seven digs against Silverton, while Case had 17 kills, three blocks and four aces and junior libero Myla Norvell added 25 digs and four aces. Norvell totaled 11 service aces in the tournament and combined for 65 digs. “Myla is probably our most aggressive server and just digs everything,” said Akpan. “Whether they’re trying to bury the ball and hit as hard as they can or a setter is just tipping it at us she just runs it down to help us.” Sophomore middles Alex Crane (10 kills, five blocks) and Lili Smith (four kills, three blocks) joined senior outside Olivia Rooney (11 kills, four digs) and junior outside Marina Tacconi (eight kills, 11 digs) in posting big numbers against Silverton. Senior outside Payton Onesti and junior defensive specialist Julia Senestraro also had highlight moments against the Foxes. Reach reporter Kris Henry at 541-776-4488, [email protected], www.facebook.com/krishenryMT or www.twitter.com/Kris_Henry By Kris Henry Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Kris Henry Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 10, 2015 at 2:00 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction Schedules & Events --> Recent Scores --> Prep Notebook Kris Henry Challengers make it back on top in softball Winning the Southern Cascade League title seemed like a pretty bold goal this spring considering the recent history of the Cascade Christian... Varsity 541 Photos Coach K Summer Competition at SOU U19 Memorial Day Challenge North Medford vs. Grant State Track & Field 6A-6 SWC District Championships 5A-3 Midwestern League Districts - Day 1 » More Photo Galleries Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications | Contact Us | Advertise | © Copyright Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.