Tigers take home championship in Warrenton

The Clatskanie girls volleyball team is off to a 3-0 start this season thanks to impressive wins over Rainier, Neah Kah Nie, and Warrenton. The Tigers' season began last Thursday, Aug. 28, at home against Rainier. Team libero McKinsey Doyle led the defensive effort against the Columbians with 18 digs and a 2.19 serve/receive/passing average. "She was everywhere," said Coach Amanda Baker of the junior. "She also had four aces." According to Baker, junior Lacey Willis led the team offensively with 12 kills and seven aces, while senior Joey Sizemore put up seven kills and two stuff blocks. Junior Peyton Krueger had two stuff blocks, a solo kill and four aces, while senior Mya Jensen and junior Olivia George had six and five kills respectively. Junior setter Addy Compton had 26 assists on 63 attempts and four aces as well. The match went four sets (25-11, 19-25, 25-19, and 25-11), but the Tigers were still able to get the last laugh. "Rainier was always our rival when I was in high school," said Baker. "Now that we are in different divisions it's always a fun way to get the season started. There was a great turnout from both sides."

Following their season-opening win, the girls traveled to Warrenton for a tournament from which, by end of day, they would emerge as champions. With two opening wins over Rainier and Kah Nie, the girls advanced to bracket play. Beating Rainier yet again (25-13, 25-18), Clatskanie moved onto the championship game against Warrenton. Losing the first set 23-25, the girls came back and won the next one 25-23 before winning the tournament decider 15-13. "We were without Lacey Willis, our go to on offense, so it was great to [have] the girls step out of their comfort zone - particularly my setter, Addy Compton - and get it done," said Baker. "She did a great job mixing up the offense and finding her hot hitters. Senior Joey Sizemore led the team on offense, getting kills from both the front and back row. My other senior, Mya Jensen, picked the slack on defense. I was so impressed with their leadership on the court this weekend. Junior Olivia George also stepped up on offense. [She was the] second kill leader behind Joey, and McKinsey Doyle continues to prove herself as [a] defensive standout. It was a great team effort and confidence booster and first time taking away the championship win at this particular tournament."

Clatskanie (3-0) travels to Delphian Thursday, Sept. 4, and then on to Vernonia Monday, Sept. 8, before returning home to face Nestucca Thursday, Sept. 11 at 6:30 p.m. Results from the Delphian and Vernonia games will be included in next week's edition of The Wahkiakum County Eagle.