Mules second in volleyball tourney

The Wahkiakum Mule volleyball team finished second in the Mossyrock Tournament last weekend.

The Mules also lost a Central League match 3-0 to Adna on September 16 and 3-1 to Mossyrock on Tuesday.

Last Thursday, the Mules lost 3-0 to the Adna Pirates 18-25, 17-25, 13-25.

Top passers were Amy Gawith and Brianne Helms, said Mule Coach Jeff Rooklidge. Gawith, and Blaine Land led the team in kills. Land, Gawith, Brieanna Olsen and Ashley Silva served well, he said.

"We struggled from the get-go, and Adna played well," Rooklidge said. "Our passing was off, which prevented us from generating any type of offensive attach. Adna served well and kept us out of balance."

The Mules fared better on Saturday as they placed second in the Mossyrock Tournament.

The Mules advanced from pool play to defeat host Mossyrock 25-14. They topped Montesano in the semifinals 25-19. They met Lynden Christian in the championship game and lost 10-15, 14-25.

"Beating Montesano was a confidence builder for the girls because Montesano made it to the Class 1A quarterfinals in state last year and returned most of their players," Rooklidge said. "Lynden Christian is really tough and also made it to the quarterfinals in 1A last season.

"Land had a solid day, leading us with 45 kills and providing excellent serving. Gawith was just behind her with 39 kills; she was our top passer and provided great serving as well.

"Helms and Hailey Quigley both passed well in the back row for us. A key to our good day was the good, all around play of setters Olsen and Haylee Budd--both did a great job running our offense and getting the ball to our hitters and with serving too. Silva, Marissa Washington, Madison LaBerge and Rachel Patching worked hard and made solid contributions to the team at the middle blocker position."

The Mules lost a close match to Mossyrock 23-25, 22-25, 25-17, 17-25 on Tuesday; stats were unavailable. See a video clip at http://www.waheagle.com.

In junior varsity action, the Mules defeated Winlock 25-12, 26-16 and 5-15 September 14. Rachel Patching served 10 aces; Maya Stanley had four, and Eva Vik and Hailey Quigley each had three.Jem Dyer, Kelsea Blix and Delaney Doumit played well, said JV Coach Joyce Wilson.

The JV's lost 9-25, 14-25, 11-15 at Adna. Stanley served six aces, and Doumit and Stephanie Moonen made 100 percent of their serves.

The Mules are at Napavine this evening (Thursday). They'll compete in the Raymond Tournament Saturday, and on Tuesday, they host the Morton/White Pass Timberwolves.