North Medford falls short in playoff opener

November 05, 2009
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PORTLAND — North Medford gave Sunset all that it could handle Wednesday night before ultimately coming up short in the first round of the Class 6A volleyball state playoffs.

The Black Tornado, the No. 4 seed from the Southwest Conference, took the Metro League runner-up to five games in the hard-fought match. Sunset won 22-25, 25-20, 25-17, 19-25, 15-7.

"I really don't think people expected us to put up that good of a battle in the playoffs," said first-year North Medford coach Erika Wright. "We really did put a good fight tonight. It's too bad we didn't finish, but that's kinda been the determiner of our season."

Senior outside hitter Hillevi Johnson led the Tornado with 11 kills and 12 digs, while senior right side hitter and setter Danielle Boyd added seven kills, 17 assists and four aces. Sophomore middle Caiti Barrie added four blocks and four kills, and junior outside hitter Kim Gomez contributed 19 digs and six kills.

In the pivotal fifth game, Sunset opened an 8-2 lead and carried that momentum to gain the victory.

"Interestingly enough we were able to really serve aggressively at them," said Wright. "In both the games we won we were able to pull them out of their system. But when they were in their system, they were good ... really good. They have hitters who can really put the ball away."

Class 4A Playoffs

ESTACADA 3, PHOENIX 0 — At Estacada, host Estacada routed Phoenix, 25-14, 25-19, 25-12, in the first round of the Class 4A state playoffs.

The Rangers advance to the second round Saturday, when they play at North Bend for the opportunity to reach the quarterfinals.

Class 1A Playoffs

BUTTE FALLS 3, JORDAN VALLEY 0 — At Butte Falls, Bessie Taylor had nine kills and Beth Sutfin added seven to lead host Butte Falls to a 25-19, 25-15, 25-18 win in the first round of the Class 1A state playoffs.

Chey Kirkpatrick had three aces and four streaks of serving three or more points for the Loggers, who advance to play at Imbler on Saturday in the second round.

COVE 3, PROSPECT 0 — At Cove, Cove defeated visiting Prospect, 25-10, 25-14, 25-20, in the first round of the Class 1A state playoffs.

Cove advances to the second round, where it will play at Griswold on Saturday.

Boys Soccer

ST. MARY'S 5, CANYONVILLE CHRISTIAN 2 — At U.S. Cellular Field, Harrison Leep led St. Mary's with two goals, earning the Crusaders the District 3 third seed into the Class 3A/2A/1A state playoffs.

Jesus Aruno also scored two goals, while Lou Arne chipped in a score of his own for the Crusaders, who play on the road in the first round on Tuesday.

St. Mary's coach Paul Coughlin also singled out the stellar performance of the Crusaders defensive line.