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Cascade fares well at tournament MURPHY - The Cascade Christian High volleyball team knocked off four Class 3A teams in pool play and another in bracket play before losing to Phoenix in the championship match of the Hidden Valley tournament on Saturday. The Challengers, the state's top-ranked 2A squad, beat Phoenix in pool play 15-13 but the Pirates turned the tables in the championship match 15-0, 15-13. The loss was the first of the season for Cascade Christian following 12 straight victories. "They (Phoenix) played much better in the championship match than they did in pool play," Cascade Christian coach Susan Gmur said. "They're a good team and very well-coached, but we had our chances." After getting skunked in Game 1, Cascade built an 11-6 lead in Game 2 of the title match before Phoenix rallied for the win. In addition to beating Phoenix in pool play, Cascade Christian defeated Douglas 15-8, Hidden Valley 15-9, Brookings 15-8 and Oakland 15-3. The Challengers then beat Bandon 15-12, 15-7 and Hidden Valley 15-2, 15-2 in bracket play prior to meeting Phoenix. Senior outside hitter Krystle Holtz had a big day for Cascade Christian with 26 kills and 17 aces. Senior middle Kristin Salamone added 25 kills and 10 stuff blocks. Phoenix, meanwhile, improved its season record to 14-5. Junior middle Tiffany Ross was a dominating force for the Pirates. SOUTH ALBANY TOURNAMENT - At Albany, Ashland put in a solid showing at the South Albany volleyball tournament despite playing without one of its best players. The 10th-ranked Grizzlies tied for third place, losing in the semfinals to sixth-ranked Westview, 15-4, 12-15, 15-11. They played without star middle Marla Morin, who was attending a wedding. "We played really well," said Ashland coach Josh Rohlfing. "We played so great as a team, I was really impressed with our effort in that arena." Ashland (8-5 overall) won its pool against Mountain View (15-3, 9-15), West Albany (15-8, 10-15) and Columbia River (15-5, 15-5). Then it downed Crook County in the quarterfinals, 15-1, 15-12. Against the Cowboys, Stefani Talbott had a monster of a match serving. She served 13 points in the first gam and was 19-for-19 in the match. North Medford also won its pool, defeating 15-8, 15-4, Bend 15-5, 15-13 and Lebanon 15-12, 15-3. In the quarterfinal and semifinal matches, Ashland got 15 digs and 16 kills from Kacey Zundel, 10 kills and five blocks from Ashley Fence, 60 assists and five blocks from Molly Grossman and 18 digs from Tiffany Talbott. Henley tied for third place with Ashland, defeating eighth-ranked North Medford in the semifinals. In the championship match, sixth-ranked Westview defeated ninth-rated Jesuit, 5-15, 15-10, 15-5. ST. MARY'S 11-15-15, ROGUE RIVER 15-12-10 - Junior middle Christina Vaninetti had a season-high 14 kills and sophomore outside hitter Chrissy Seus added 11 kills and seven digs as St. Mary's rallied to beat Rogue River in the non-conference match. After losing the first game, the host Crusaders trailed 9-3 in Game 2 and 9-2 in Game 3 but rallied each time to post the victory, their ninth against five losses this season. Vaninetti had seven of her kills during the Crusaders' second-game rally. Sophomore Amanda Hall was also a big factor as she came off the bench and contributed two aces and some tough defense down the stretch. The Crusaders' two defensive specialists - Kathryn Zielony and Kristina Easton - contributed 11 digs apiece. BUTTE FALLS SECOND IN TOURNEY - At Merrill, senior setter Jessica Dunlap led the way as Butte Falls finished runner-up to Chiloquin at a six-team tournament at Lost River High School. Butte Falls beat Chiloquin in pool play 15-12, 15-12 but the Panthers fought to a 15-11, 12-15, 15-11 victory over the Loggers in the championship match. Butte Falls defeated Butte Valley, Calif., 15-3, 15-8 in the semifinals. Butte Falls moved its season record to 6-4. PROSPECT 15-0-15, PAISLEY 6-15-5 - At Prospect, the Cougars rebounded from getting blanked in Game 2 to take the decisive Game 3. Prospect (4-2 overall, 3-2 Skyline A Division) were led by sophomore setter Brittany Bennett (six kills, six assists), senior outside hitter Sarah Gordon (eight kills) and junior setter Hillary Lewis (11 assists). Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.