Mules win 2 of 3 league matches

The Wahkiakum Mule volleyball team 2 of three matches this past week to improve its record to 6-3.

On Tuesday, the Mules lost a back and forth match 3-2 to Adna on the Pirates' home court.

"The whole team really battled," said Coach Jeff Rooklidge. "The girls fought really hard; we're proud of them."

Adna won the first set 25-22. The Mules won the next two 25-14, 25-13. The Pirates tied the match with a 25-19 win and came out on top 15-13 in the fifth set.

"Brieanna Olsen was very strong for us," Rooklidge said. "She had some key kills and made 27 assists. She had a good night serving, 27/30, and had three aces."

Tori Wegdahl added 15 kills, seven service points and two aces. Blaine Land made 13 kills and six service points. Baylee Olsen was strong in the middle, Rooklidge said, with five kills and five service points.

Last Saturday, the Mules participated in the R.A. Long Lumberjill Invitational tournament. The tournament hosted 10 teams and the girls played well against some good competition including 4A, 3A and 2A schools, Rooklidge said.

"In pool play, we split with Kelso and R.A. Long, getting set wins against each. Land was recognized for her excellent all around play by being nominated to the All-Tournament team."

Last Thursday, the Mules swept the Winlock Cardinals 3-0 by scores of 25-15, 25-8 and 25-8.

"Wegdahl led us with nine kills and 12 service points," Rooklidge said. "She used her jump serve as a weapon and got Winlock on their heels with six aces during the match.

"Land had 10 service points and five kills. Brieanna Olsen had 19 assists and ran our quick middle attack well again. Madison LaBerge added 11/11 serving and seven service points. Middle Blocker Ashley Silva led us with three blocks and some solid defense. Marissa Washington had four kills and a great night hitting, and Haylee Budd, Maya Stanley and Brianne Helms all provided their usual solid defense and passing."

On October 4, the Mules won a long 3-2 match at Toutle Lake against the Ducks. Scores were 21-25, 25-19, 20-25, 25-22, and 19-17.

" The team showed good determination coming back to win the last two sets on Toutle's home floor," Rooklidge said. "They have shown time and time again this season that they don't quit and trust each other when things are tough.

Land had 22 kills, two stuff blocks and 19/21 serving with three aces. She was one of the top passers in serve receive and had a great all-around match, Rooklidge said.

Wegdahl had 19 kills, eight service points and made some great defensive plays to get the defense going. Brieanna Olsen distributed 42 assists and really set the ball well to the outside hitters, Rooklidge said.

"She also made some great quick sets to our middles and added eight service points with 16/19 serving,"Rooklidge said. "LaBerge added another great match serving with 11 service points and 19/21 from the service line.

"Baylee Olsen was our top server for the night with 22/25 and 12 service points. She did a solid job blocking with five blocks. She served some crucial points late in the match with a lot of pressure. I was impressed with how she handled the pressure as a young freshman.

Budd led the passing in the back row with 14 perfect passes off serve receive and made some critical digs late in the match that enabled the Mules to prevail, Rooklidge said, and Stanley also added excellent passing on defense.

"Washington had one of her top matches of the year with four kills and seven blocks, and Ashley Silva had a couple of crucial blocks that helped us in the fourth set."

The Mules entertain Mossyrock tonight (Thursday). They go to Napavine next Tuesday and entertain Morton/White Pass on October 20.