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PREP VB: South starts fast, sweeps North By Danny Penza Updated: Sep 08, 2022 10:13 PM A A 5 View all photos South Medford senior Katie Clevenger is one who won’t forget the last time the Panthers made the crosstown trip to North Medford’s gym. There would be no five-set thriller this time around, however. Thank Clevenger and the Panthers’ big start for that Thursday night. Behind the big right arm of Clevenger and a wealth of other options in attack, South Medford built an early advantage and then was able to close out North Medford in straight sets for a 25-10, 25-16, 26-24 victory to improve to 2-0 in Southwest Conference play. “It was huge,” said Clevenger of South’s fast start. “We came into this not knowing about them because they’re a completely new team from last year and what it was going to be like, so coming out and winning by over 10 points (in the first set) was awesome. The energy in the gym was insane. It was so fun.” While it started with Clevenger, it certainly didn’t end with the Panthers’ all-SWC outside hitter on this night. Clevenger led the way with 16 kills, two blocks and five digs, but South (5-1, 2-0 SWC) also got seven kills and a block from junior outside hitter Brooke Johnston, and two blocks and two kills apiece from senior middle blocker Naomi Johnson and freshman outside hitter Mayen Akpan. South senior libero Cameron Christian had four aces and 16 digs. “It really helped us and the momentum is always super helpful,” said South senior setter Baylee Davis, who had 26 assists. “When our energy is high, we’re all in it, everyone’s on. It’s really helpful.” The Panthers’ start set the tone, with Clevenger recording her first two kills of the night to help South build a 10-4 lead early. North (2-2, 0-1) never got within five points of South in the opening set, as the Panthers simply took off after another big Clevenger kill made it 14-7. South led by as many as 13 points on two different occasions in the first set. “Just our communication and our chemistry between the team,” said Johnson of Thursday’s keys to victory. “It all really flowed well together — especially with our setter, Baylee, she’s really working and she makes all of our plays run.” The Black Tornado, playing its third straight home match, didn’t get a lead until early in the second set. But that, thanks again to the Panthers quickly settling back into their groove behind Clevenger, was shortlived as South rattled off a quick 6-2 run to give itself a 10-6 lead in the second set. “I think I almost outsmarted myself,” said North head coach Josh Elbert regarding his game plan Thursday night. “I was trying to do a matchup thing and, really, we just have to go to our strengths. Once I went back to what we’re normally doing, you could see a difference in how we were doing (in the third set compared to the first two).” “Just nerves, it’s a young team, and just trying to get into that rhythm early on,” continued Elbert. “South came out on fire, and there were a lot things that could have gone our way that didn’t go our way and (South) took advantage of it. They’re a good team, a veteran team.” The Panthers took control of the second set with a run of seven consecutive points to grab another double-digit lead at 17-7, with Johnson and Clevenger recording kills around a trio of Black Tornado hitting errors. “I think going back to the basics and knowing how hard we’ve worked and how much practice time we’ve put in,” said Clevenger of how the Panthers were able to get ahead 2-0. “Keeping balls in play, not making errors and forcing them to make errors is the biggest thing that pulled us through.” North’s best set, as Elbert noted, was the third, with the Tornado giving the Panthers their biggest pushback of the night. North led 19-18 after back-to-back kills from senior middle blocker AJ Brooks, but Clevenger was able to record her final kill of the night to put the Panthers back ahead 24-22. The Black Tornado momentarily tied it at 24-all, but an ace from Christian ended it. “The want to win, the want to not let it go to four (sets) and win it in three,” said Clevenger of how South was able to finish. “It means a lot to take (North) down in their home gym — especially after last year when we lost in five, so coming back and beating them in three was pretty awesome this year.” THURSTON 3, ASHLAND 0: At Ashland, senior libero Maile Cooper had 12 digs and was solid at the service line as well as on serve-receive, while Glory Pistole and Sophia Jacques each had five kills for Ashland in the Midwestern League loss. Thurston (4-4, 1-0 MWL) won 25-16, 25-12, 25-10. Pistole also had three blocks after being presssed into duty at middle blocker, while Lainie Carter had 10 digs and two kills for the Grizzlies (0-3, 0-1). PHOENIX 3, ETNA (Calif.) 0: At Phoenix, senior Ami Safady slammed down 12 kills to go with four blocks and an 11-for-12 effort from the service line as Phoenix swept Etna, 25-15, 25-22, 25-21. Faith MacGregor had 20 assists on 21 kills by the Pirates (3-3) and was 20-for-22 from the service line, while Makynna Nolan went 17-for-17 with three aces and added 10 digs and seven kills. Morgan Miles finished with 10 digs and two kills and was 13-for-13 in service for Phoenix. CASCADE CHRISTIAN 3, MAZAMA 1: Cascade Christian sophomore Poppy Freeman pounded out 21 kills and had 11 digs and Madison Todd chipped in with 14 kills, 12 digs and three aces as the host Challengers held off Mazama, 25-22, 25-22, 15-25, 33-31. Molly Griffin doled out 39 assists and Ellie Harrington added 15 digs and three aces for the Challengers (2-4). ROGUE VALLEY ADVENTIST 3, ST. MARY’S 0: Host Rogue Valley Adventist senior middle blocker Michaela Porter had a breakout effort with 10 kills to go with five aces and two valuable digs as the Red Tail Hawks swept Class 3A St. Mary’s to remain unbeaten, 25-21, 25-23, 25-17 Emma Bischoff had another outstanding game for RVA (5-0) with 15 kills, four blocks and four digs, while Isabelle Zamora had six kills and freshman setter Naomi Jackson contributed 15 assists. St. Mary’s (3-2) went up 19-15 in the second set before RVA was able to tie it at 22-all, and then Bischoff provided a big block and another kill to close out the tight affair. Emma Johnston led the way for the Crusaders with 10 kills and 15 digs. Albie Borovansky added 13 digs, while Kaitlyn Hansen had 19 assists. Reach reporter Danny Penza at 541-776-4469 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @penzatopaper. Andy Atkinson / Mail TribuneSouth Medford's Katie Clevenger makes a hit for a point during the third set at North Medford High School Thursday evening. Andy Atkinson / Mail TribuneSouth Medford's Naomi Johnson bloke the ball from North Medford's Kristina Atonio during the opening set at North Medford High School Thursday evening. Andy Atkinson / Mail TribuneSouth Medford’s Mayenabasi Akpan makes a hit for a point during the second set at North Medford High School Thursday evening. Andy Atkinson / Mail TribuneNorth Medford's Lola Horton makes a hit for a point during the second set at North Medford High School Thursday evening. Andy Atkinson / Mail TribuneNorth Medford's Makenzee Running makes a hit for a point during the third set at North Medford High School Thursday evening.