Mules start volleyball playoffs

The Wahkiakum Mule volleyball team started district tournament competition yesterday (Wednesday) after The Eagle had gone to press.

The Mules swept the visiting Morton Huskies 3-0 last week to finish in a three-way tie with Adna and Napavine for second place in Central League standings. The Mules won a coin flip to claim second; Adna went as third and Napavine fourth.

The Mules faced Mossyrock in their opening match. The winner advanced to the quarterfinals 5 p.m. Friday in Napavine against the winner of the South Bend-Adna match; the loser played the loser of that match. The district competition finishes Friday evening at Napavine; the top four teams advance to the state tournament the following week in Yakima.

Last Thursday, the Mules rolled over Morton 25-17, 25-15 in the first two games. The Huskies took a seven point lead in the second, but the Mules rallied to win 26-24.

Setter Paige Kehrli made 18 assists. Middle blocker Blaine Land made 18 kills, and Halie Boyce had 10 service points.

The match was the last home match for the Mule seniors. They are Kehrli, Shelby Deaton, Sarah Doumit, Samatha Cress and Brittney Robbins.