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Skyline Volleyball Knee injury derails Pirates PHOENIX -- The host Phoenix Pirates lost outside hitter April Darby on her second swing of her first varsity Skyline Conference match and could never recover as defending champion Lakeview prevailed 15-10, 15-5. Darby had been a key to the Phoenix volleyball team's 4-0 run at the Yreka Tournament, but the sophomore may have to wait another year to shine in league play after possibly tearing a knee ligament during Tuesday's match. "The patchwork system we tried to put in place to make up for her loss didn't work," Phoenix coach Tom Murphy said of his team's effort to regroup. "So I guess it's back to the drawing board." Lakeview displayed a potent attack in the Skyline Conference opener, with Jamie Ruda, Jess Childress and Frances Hartman providing the offensive highlights. Ruda and Childress each had eight kills, while Hartman added seven. "Those three carried the offensive weight for Lakeview and their back row passed the ball real well," said Murphy. "They were very efficient. And once we had to scramble our rotation we were very inefficient and out of sync." Murphy said he was particularly impressed with Childress. The 5-foot-9 freshman showed uncanny power and poise for being new to the Honkers' system. "She's a great looking freshman. She really thumps the ball," said Murphy, whose Pirates dropped to 4-1 overall and 0-1 in conference. ROGUE RIVER 15-16, HIDDEN VALLEY 10-14 -- At Rogue River, the Chieftains built big leads in both games but were forced to survive strong rallies by Hidden Valley to gain the Skyline Conference victory. Rogue River led 7-0 in the first game and 12-3 in the second before losing a little focus and allowing Hidden Valley back into each game. Undaunted, the young Chieftains were able to put away the Mustangs thanks to strong play by Katie Glasscock, Jennifer Kay, Becky Grinde, Emily Sutherland and Cheryl Jiles. Glasscock, a freshman, and Kay, a sophomore, each had four kills to pace Rogue River (1-0). Grinde, a junior, added seven digs, while Kay had six. Sutherland was 7-for-8 serving with three aces, and Jiles served seven straight points in the first game. HENLEY 15-15, ILLINOIS VALLEY 4-5 -- At Klamath Falls, junior Alice Myers had nine kills as Henley took advantage of its height advantage and dominated the net in winning the Skyline Conference opener for both teams. Sophomore Erika Clements went 19-for-19 from the service line with five aces for the Hornets (5-1 overall, 1-0 Skyline). Despite boasting a sophomore-laden lineup, Henley jumped out to a 12-0 lead in the first game and was never threatened in the second game. NORTH VALLEY 15-15, MAZAMA 0-11 --At Merlin, middle Amanda Renius had seven kills and seven aces and outside hitter Carrie McIntyre added five digs and three kills to lead North Valley over Mazama in the Skyline Conference opener for both teams. Renius was a tear at the service line in the opener when she blasted six of her seven aces. ST. MARY'S 15-15, GLENDALE 7-9 -- At Glendale, junior Jenny Gritsch set the tempo for St. Mary's as the Crusaders improved to 3-0 with a non-conference victory. Forced to move from her defensive specialist spot to outside hitter due to injuries and a strep throat epidemic, Gritsch still came up with seven digs. Junior Kristen Zielony added five kills and five digs, while sophomore Megan Dode had six digs and three kills. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.