Mules capture Mossyrock tourney

Wahkiakum Mule Blaine Land sent a hard slam across the net as the Mules scored the winning point in their fourth game last Thursday against Pe Ell. The Mules rallied from behind to win the match 3-2. Rick Nelson photo.

The Wahkiakum Mule volleyball team opened 2009 play this month and has earned several good wins.

The Mules dropped their season opening match 3-0 at Toutle Lake on Sept. 15 by scores of 25-12, 25-19 and 25-15.

"We fought hard but couldn't match up with a very talented Toutle team," said Coach Jeff Rooklidge. "Jordyn Wirkkala and Ashley Helms led us with six kills apiece, and Halie Boyce had 14 assists running our offense. Blaine Land worked hard at the net and had some nice blocks."

The Mules defeated the Pe Ell Trojans 3-2 Sept. 17 at home to gain their first win of the season.

Scores were 25-21, 17-25, 21-25, 26-24, and 15-10.

"Wirkkala was all over the court with terrific defense and led us in kills with 14," Rooklidge said. "Helms played great defense with eight digs and led us serving with 14-14 and four aces. Boyce did a nice job of setting the ball to our hitters and had 20 assists. Land added eight kills.

"The girls were down 12-19 in the fourth game and rallied to come back and win 26-24. They showed a lot of determination."

Saturday at Mossyrock Wahkiakum won an eight team tournament, taking the championship game over Mossyrock by a score of 25-20, 23-25, 16-14.

The team advanced to the championship match with a win in bracket play over WF West High School of Chehalis by scores of 25-13 and 25-19.

"This was a nice win over the varsity team of a 2A school," Rooklidge commented. "We won pool play and advanced to bracket play as the number one seed.

In pool play the scores were as follows:

Game 1, Mules 25, White Pass 19.

Game 2, Mules 25, Pe Ell16.

Game 3, Mossyrock 25, Mules 22.

Game 4, Mules 25, Tenino 17.

Game 5, Mules 25, Elma 14.

Game 6, Mules 25, Morton 16.

Game 7, Mules 25, WF West 20.

For the day, Land had 41 kills, Wirkkala 38, Rebecka Patching 22, Brieanna Olsen 19, and Amy Gawith 17.

"Olsen served well throughout the day and led the team in aces," Rooklidge said. "Wirkkala and Helms played great defense all day, leading the team in digs and passing. Haylee Budd had an outstanding day passing the ball and playing excellent back row defense. Patching and Gawith did a nice job blocking up front, and Land and Wirkkala dominated at the net with great hitting.

Boyce ran our offense with great efficiency and did a great job as our floor leader."

On Monday, the Mules won a non-league match with the visiting Naselle Comettes, 25-18, 25-11 and 25-12.

Wirkkala led the team with 11 kills, and Land added nine. Boyce made 26 assists.

"Patching had three blocks and played well at the net," Rooklidge said. "Gawith continued to give us good play at the net and served at 100 percent. Helms played great defense leading the team in passing and digs. Boyce had five aces and 10 service points. Wirkkala had three aces and 11 service points.