Clatsop County volleyball spikes, soccer on slow burn
· Yahoo Sports
Tuesday was a big night on the volleyball court and on the soccer pitch. Astoria and Warrenton volleyball teams had big matches against Banks and Neah-Kah-Nie, Seaside volleyball looked to break into the win column in league and Knappa was hoping to stop its recent losing skid. Elsewhere, local soccer teams continued their slow start to league.
Astoria girls sharpen up
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The first set was a rough one for the Astoria volleyball team Tuesday night against Banks, but the girls recovered to take home a victory: 20-25, 25-23, 25-14 and 25-16. This was the first Cowapa league win for the Fishermen.
There are only two automatic qualifying spots available for the 4A state playoffs. Tuesday was the second game of league for Astoria and the first one against a direct playoff competitor.
A packed student section was dressed and ready to cheer on the girls, but after winning the first two points, the Fishermen struggled. Banks’s senior Lauren Jensen ran off 6 points in a row to give Banks an early lead. Astoria was slow on defense, had a few service errors, struggled to return serves cleanly and couldn’t seem to get into a rhythm. Behind Jensen’s strong serving, the Braves took set one.
Set two was better for Astoria as the Fishermen were building themselves into the match. What helped them take set two was being able to get off the service game of Jensen. After winning close to 10 points on her serve in set one, she only won a couple in set two. This was enough for Astoria to take the set 25-23.
Volleyball is a game that can display a contrast of styles. Height-wise, Banks is one of the shortest teams in 4A. The team’s tallest player is 5 feet 9 inches tall. Astoria has two players taller than 5 feet 11 inches; eventually the height factor seemed to come into play. Kyah Gohr’s and Keturah Jackson’s blocking also seemed to have an effect on Banks in set three as Astoria picked up on its defensive pressure.
Sets three and four showed the potential this team has. Players like sophomore Emma Ness, senior libero Hadley Painter, junior Sophia Nygaard and senior setter Lyla Carlson all had moments of really good play over the last two sets. Head Coach Eric Gohr has said the girls are making strides and that in order to win later in the season, other girls have to step up to help out Gohr. Based on the last two sets on Tuesday, the girls are gaining confidence and defensive rhythm.
Warrenton’s volleyball team arrives on the scene
Warrenton’s volleyball team spiked its way into league title contention with a big win against Neah-Kah-Nie on Tuesday.
It’s hard to label a victory in a non-playoff game as a signature win, but Tuesday night could fit the description. The freshmen-heavy Warrenton Warriors ran by league foe Neah-Kah-Nie in three sets: 25-20, 25-22 and 25-14. This win is Warrenton’s third in league and the girls now sit second behind undefeated Catlin Gabel with a 3-1 record.
After losing to the Pirates at the Warrenton Kickoff Tournament, the Warriors made quick work of the higher-ranked team. Coming into the game, Neah-Kah-Nie was ranked No. 12 in the 3A Oregon School Activities Association rankings. Like Astoria, Warrenton is in a tough battle with Catlin Gabel, Neah-Kah-Nie and Corbett for league position, so this win will help the team in its march towards a top two seed and automatic qualifying bid in the state playoffs.
The 8-4 Warriors will have a road game against Rainier on Thursday before returning to their home court at 6 p.m. on Oct. 6 against Oregon Episcopal.
Seaside volleyball wins its first league set
Though the Seaside Seagulls fell to 0-3 in league play, they won their first set.
Entering their Tuesday game against Tillamook, Seaside had played six league sets and lost all of them against Valley Catholic and Scappoose. The Seagulls were able to win a set against Tillamook en route to a four-set loss. Tillamook’s victory — 25-12, 24-26, 25-15 and 25-21 — moved them to 1-1 in league and has the team tied with Astoria, Banks and Scappoose. For Seaside, this is the fourth straight loss after starting the season 4-2. Despite the recent skid, the girls have already won three more games than they did all of last season.
Next up for the Seagulls is a home game against Astoria at 6:15 p.m. on Oct. 6.
Knappa comes up short
Who doesn’t love a five-set volleyball match? The Knappa Loggers and Faith Bible/Life Christian Falcons certainly did.
Tuesday night was a back-and-forth affair and Knappa ended up coming out on the wrong side. The Loggers started off fast with a 25-23 first-set victory, then Faith Bible responded by winning the next two sets, 25-9 and 25-5. Despite being hammered in the previous two sets, Knappa came back strong in the fourth, winning it 25-15. Ultimately, the Falcons prevailed 15-12 in the fifth to take home the 15-25, 25-9, 25-5, 15-25 and 15-12 victory.
The loss moved Knappa’s league record to 1-4 and their overall record to 4-7. Faith Bible improved to 6-8 overall and 2-3 in league. Next up for Knappa is a road trip to Gaston, where they will take on the Gaston Greyhounds at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1.
Boys soccer teams go winless
Tuesday was a winless day for local Clatsop County soccer teams.
Astoria boys soccer and Seaside boys soccer teams both fell short in their league games. Astoria was edge by Banks in the rain at CMH Field by a score of 1-0 and Seaside was blown out by Tillamook, 6-0.
The loss for Astoria was their fifth in a row and dropped them to 1-5-1 overall. Seaside fell to 2-4-1 on the year and 0-2 in Cowapa League play. Both teams are set to have a home game on Thursday, as Astoria will play host to Tillamook/Neah-Kah-Nie at 6:15 p.m. and Seaside is set to host Valley Catholic at 7 p.m.
Local girls soccer teams shut out
Astoria girls weren’t able to keep their momentum going as they fell to Banks 2-0 on Tuesday night. Coming off a big win against Valley Catholic, the girls were shutout by No. 3 Banks. Rival Seaside, was also shutout, losing 1-0 to Tillamook/Neah-Kah-Nie at Broadway Field.
The Fishermen dropped to 3-3-1 on the year and 1-1 in league, while Seaside fell to 3-4 overall and 0-2 in league. Both teams are set to return to action Thursday. The Fishermen will travel to Tillamook/Neah-Kah-Nie for a 6:30 game and Seaside will take on Valley Catholic at 5:15 p.m.