Mules fare well in matches, tourney

The Wahkiakum Mule volleyball team traveled to Winlock for their last non-league game on Tuesday and won in three sets, 25-6, 25-9 and 25-8. With a win last Thursday and tournament play on Saturday, this brings their overall record to 5-0.

"Serving was much more consistent tonight, Coach Kayli Hurley said of Tuesday's game against Winlock.

"A few standouts were Morgan Elliott with eight aces and eight assists," Hurley said, "Grace Peacock with strong serve receive, Sydney Hansen with two kills and Whitney Kuller with strong serving."

Last Saturday, the team participated in a tournament at Mark Morris and ultimately took first in the consolation bracket with a win against Mark Morris.

"It was a long day of play," Hurley said, "but we had great competition."

The Mules started the day with a loss to Woodland, 23-25 and 24-26. They split games with Hockinson, 27-25 and 15-25 and beat Yelm 25-21 and 25-15. This put them in third place in pool play, putting them in the consolation bracket.

That afternoon, the Mules were able to outplay River Ridge 25-13, 25-11 and Sequim 25-17, 25-22. They then beat Mark Morris in three sets 16-25, 25-19 and 15-8 for the bracket championship.

"It was a hard fought match against Mark Morris and it took a ton a fire and energy from the entire team-the girls on the bench and the girls on the floor," Hurley said. It was an entire team effort. When one person was off, their teammates picked them back up until they found the groove.

Hurley praised several of the players. Kennedi LaBerge had 15 kills and "some key defensive plays". Kaylee Bryant had 29 kills and seven blocks and Tori Wegdahl had 28 kills, 24 digs and nine aces. Baylee Olsen had 24 kills and eight blocks and Savannah Burdick delivered "strong serve receive" with nine aces and 17 digs.

Last Thursday, the Mules beat Onalaska in four sets at home, 22-25, 25-19, 25-23 and 25-14.

"Tonight was a real team effort with all the cogs in the wheel having to turn to be successful," Hurley said. "Our bench and the energy they bring is essential to our performance. When they're up, it keeps the kids on the floor up. Onalaska was playing some great defense and kept our hitters on their toes, so both sides of the ball for us had to become more efficient."

Hurley complimented Burdick for her "awesome serve receive" and 18 digs, Wegdahl who was "kill leader and really efficient tonight with really strong serve receive" and both of her setters, Elliott and Peyton Souvenir, for strong games. Elliott had 25 assists and eight digs, Souvenir had 17 assists, six digs and seven kills. Wegdahl had 17 kills and 12 digs. Bryant had 10 kills and Peacock had seven kills and six aces.

The team travels to Napavine today to begin league play and will face Toutle Lake at home on Tuesday, October 7.