Mail Tribune Sports - Brophy sparks Crusaders

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2000-09-15

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Brophy sparks Crusaders The situation looked bleak for St. Mary's in a Southern Cascade League seeding match Saturday against Bonanza. The Crusaders needed someone to light a fire and sophomore Lani Brophy provided the spark. Brophy's serving proved decisive as the fourth-ranked Crusaders defeated visiting Bonanza 7-15, 15-13 and 15-4 to gain the SCL's No. 1 seed in the Class 2A state tournament that begins Thursday at Lane Community College in Eugene. St. Mary's (19-3), which will make its third straight trip to the state tournament, opens at 2 p.m. Thursday against the No. 2 team from the Wapiti League. Bonanza also advances to state as the league's second seed. After losing the opening game to Bonanza, St. Mary's fell behind 12-4 in the second contest. The match seemed to turn around on a big defensive play by Cheyenne Galedrige, who dug a hard hit ball that led to a Crusaders sideout with the Antlers leading 12-6. Then Brophy stepped to the service line and recorded five straight points to cut Bonanza's lead to 12-11. "Lani's serving after Cheyenne's dig got us back in it," St. Mary's coach James Joy said. "Lani was mixing up her serving. She served it short and had a couple of hard top spins that they weren't able to handle." In Game 3, the Crusaders held a 5-4 lead when Brophy served four straight, the last two on aces. "It's important to have someone step up in key situations," Joy said. "Lani sure stepped up at the serving line today. She goes back there with confidence that she can get the ball over and make it difficult for the other team." Maren Zielony, who led the Crusaders with 18 digs and 10 kills, served an ace for the final point of the match. HENLEY MATCH POSTPONED --At Klamath Falls, the Henley-Siuslaw 3A state playoff game will be played at 6 p.m. on Monday in Klamath Falls. The contest was postponed due to severe weather. SKYLINE 3A TOURNAMENT -- At Winston, Butte falls was ousted from the 3A state championship race with two straight losses. Butte Falls fell to Elkton 15-12, 15-4 and then to Days Creek 15-9, 12-4. Butte Falls was led by Sara Thompson's 11 kills and Sara Lawrance's 10 digs. Jammie McClanahan and Jessie Bergirn had three aces apiece. Butte Falls finished the season 11-4. Earlier, Days Creek ousted Prospect 15-13, 15-8, 15-0. Kary Lenderman led the Cougars with six kills and five blocks. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune   Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford,