The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

The Wahkiakum Mule volleyball team completed its regular season last Thursday and are battling in the district tournament this week.

The Mules lost 3-1 to Central League champion Toutle Lake last Thursday to close the regular season.

They started district tournament competition Monday, beating Willapa Valley 3-0 and losing to Toutle Lake 3-0.

The Mules face the Pe Ell Trojans Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., in Napavine in a loser-out match.

In the season finale last Thursday at Toutle Lake, the Mules lost by scores of 15-25, 25-22, 6-25, 19-25.

"Brieanna Olsen had 28 assists and set some nice balls to our hitters," said Mule Coach Jeff Rooklidge. "She also was our top percentage server for the match."

Blaine Land made 14 kills, and Caitlin Nicolazzi had 11. Libero Haylee Budd led the team in passing percentage, Rooklidge said.

At district on Monday, the Mules defeated the Willapa Valley Vikings 25-22, 25-14 and 25-15 in the first match.

"Once again Brieanna Olsen hustled all over the court and set up our hitters with her 20 assists," Rooklidge said. "Olsen was on fire at the service line, leading us with five aces, and she had our top serving percentage."

Land led the team with 13 kills; Amy Gawith added eight and Caitlin Nicolazzi four.

"Gawith had a terrific match passing and also did a good job serving," Rooklidge said. "Madison LaBerge had a great match serving with four aces. She had some timely aces that helped us gain momentum during the match."

After beating Willapa, the Mules played Toutle Lake 22-25, 19-25 and 21-25.

"In all three sets, we had leads but were unable to hold on," Rooklidge said. "Service errors really hurt our cause. We were trying to be aggressive and put pressure on their passers and we just served too many out.

Blaine Land had her best match of the year dominating at the net with 15 kills.

Land dominated the and made 15 kills in her best match of the year, Rooklidge commented. Nicolazzi added six kills and Gawith had three.

"Olsen set some great balls to land on the outside, and Nicolazzi and Olsen ran some great slides in the middle," Rooklidge said. "Nicolazzi and Eva Vik each added two stuff blocks and several soft blocks."

Gawith and Brianne Helms were top passers. LaBerge and Land were leading servers, with both getting a couple of aces.