The non conference match between Corvallis and Class B Florence may have only gone three games with Corvallis taking the win, but both teams knew they were in a battle. The match featured many long volleys with the athletes playing tough on both sides of the net.
“We always know when we play Florence that it’s going to be a good game,” said Corvallis coach Laurie Jones. “It’s going to be fun. It doesn’t matter that they are (Class) B or out of conference. We just want to play good volleyball.”
Corvallis, like Florence graduated a number of seniors who had seen much success and, as Jones said, are not rebuilding, just reloading. Brooklyn Powell stepped into the setting position this year and is slowly finding her rhythm and gaining confidence. Jones said they are tweaking a few things but feels that Powell will get more accurate as the season progresses. Outside hitter Madeline Gilder and middle hitter Jenna Jordan are consistent in their hitting positions. Gilder, in particular, is very strong at the left outside position and, according to Jones, “likes to hit. We tell her to make the play and don’t over do it.”
Corvallis def. Florence – 25-21, 25-19, 28-26
Corvallis – Kills 37 (Madeline Gilder19). Blocks 2 (Jenna Jordan 2), Digs 65 (Paige Colaprete 18). Assists 29 (Brooklyn Powell 27). Aces 4 (Gilder 2, Hailey Anderson 2).
Florence – Kills 23 (Gracie Houston 6). Blocks 2 (Kasidy Yeoman, Houston/Maddie Potter). Digs 62 (Kolbi Wood 21). Assists 16 (Yeoman 14). Aces 4 (Houston, Mckenzie Little, Yeoman, Jayden Hendrickson)
Columbia Falls def. Stevensville 25-18, 25-16, 25-17
Stevensville – Kills 19 (Aliyah Anderson 8), Assists 16 (Maddie Weber 13), Digs 29 (Weber 6), Aces – 4
Columbia Falls – Kills 36, Assists 28, Digs 36, Aces 13, Blocks 1.
Florence def. Eureka 25-16, 9-25, 25-19,26-24
Eureka – Kills 24, Digs 38, Aces 6, Blocks 22, Assists 18.
Florence – Kills 30 (Kasidy Yeoman 11), Blocks 6 (three with 2), Digs 72 (Kolbi Wood 20), Assists 24 (Jayden Hendrickson 11), Aces 11.