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SOC VOLLEYBALL North Medford captures SOC volleyball title Third-ranked North Medford clinched sole possession of the Southern Oregon Conference volleyball title with a 15-7, 15-3 decision over South Medford on Thursday night. The Black Tornado finished conference play with a 13-1 record, earning the automatic berth to the final 16 of the state tournament. "The brackets for the playoffs were drawn before league started, so when we lost that first match to Roseburg we were real determined to earn the championship," North Medford coach Ron Beick said. "Getting the No. 1 seed allows us to practice during the week and prepare for that first match. We didn't want to take that second-place draw because it's real tough." North faces its first opponent in the postseason with a 10:30 a.m. match on Nov. 6 at Portland's Chiles Center. "Our goal is to go up there and win one match at a time," Beick said. "Hopefully we'll win all four, but we'll just have to see how things fall." North will be making its third trip in five years to the state's final-16. Thursday the Black Tornado pulled away from a 3-3 tie with the Panthers with a 5-0 run. The Panthers close to 8-5 before the Tornado pulled away for the win. Mandie Horn recorded 10 assists for North in Game 1. Beick said North improved its serving in the second game and the Panthers had some hitting errors, allowing the Tornado to go on a 11-0 run for a 13-2 advantage. North closed the match after giving up one more point to the Panthers. Brittany Weiler had 12 assists in Game 2 for the Black Tornado. On the night Ali Mostue had nine kills, three digs and three blocks, Kristin Ferris had four kills, three digs and four blocks and Ali Piff had four kills, two digs, two service aces and three blocks for the Tornado. ROSEBURG 15-15, ASHLAND 13-11 -- At Ashland, Roseburg took advantage of 15 missed serves by Ashland to clinch second place in the SOC. Ashland, the third-place team, opens the Class 4A state playoffs at 4:30 p.m. Monday against South Eugene, the No. 4 team from the Midwestern League. Roseburg will host a playoff game Wednesday. The Indians are one victory away from a state tournament berth. Junior middle hitter Amy Williams had a strong all-around game for the Grizzlies with five kills, seven digs and three blocks. Other Ashland leaders were Lorianna Berman (nine kills, 10 digs), Rachel Fish (11 digs) and Chelsey Morgan (31 assists). KLAMATH UNION 15-15, EAGLE POINT 8-13 -- At Klamath Falls, senior setter Jean Crowder led Klamath Union to the SOC triumph with 33 assists. Hitter Kylane Munson posted seven kills for the Pelicans. Kristina Mattchett and Dani Dobey added six kills apiece. Klamath Union (20-10 overall, 8-6 in league) will play the No. 4seed from the Metro Conference on Monday at 4:30 p.m. in Portland. CRATER 13-15-15, GRANTS PASS 15-6-3 -- Crater blew an 11-1 lead in the first game, but took care of business in the next two for the win. Jill Cohen sparked Grants Pass' comeback in the first game. The Comets regrouped in the second game and went on an 11-1 run to win the game after trailing 5-4 early. Crater coach Leaf Jensen said Emily Wiley had her best game of the year in Game 2, recording three blocks and three of her seven kills. The Comets went up 11-1 in the third game and stayed in control this time. Rhonda Lamson took control in the third game when she recorded five of her six kills. Lamson also had 39 assists and six digs. Jamie Caster led the team in kills with 11, Megan Robbins added seven kills and eight digs and Amy Chase had nine service aces. Crater finished the season 7-9 overall and 6-8 in SOC. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford,