Prep Volleyball Roundup: Ocosta upends Taholah in battle of top-10 teams

Also: Montesano sweeps Elma; Raymond-South Bend, Hoquiam, Willapa Valley win

Ocosta seized control of the 1B Coastal League while Montesano and Elma faced off in an East County Civil War game as we review Thursday’s full slate of Twin Harbors prep volleyball games.

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PREP VOLLEYBALL

Ocosta 3, Taholah 0

Ocosta took a big step forward toward securing a 1B Coastal League title with a straight-set victory over Taholah on Thursday at Taholah High School.

In a matchup of two of the 1B class’ top-10 teams, the Wildcats (10-1 overall, 8-0 1B Coastal) earned a hard-fought 25-21, 27-25 and 25-14 road victory over the Chitwhins (8-2, 7-2), whose only two losses this season were to Ocosta.

Seventh-ranked Ocosta was led by outside hitter Jolissa Schlegel, who had 16 kills and eight digs and libero Noel Cuzdey, who had 19 digs and 18 perfect serve receptions.

“Between Jolissa’s swings and Noel’s defense, we were unstoppable tonight,” Ocosta head coach Erin Snider said.

Anna Davis and Sophie Olive had five aces apiece for a Wildcats team that went 64 for 76 (84.2%) from the service line.

“These two served tough,” Snider said. “They went for power and were able to keep the ball out of system on the other side.”

PHOTO BY VAN ADAM DAVIS Ocosta’s Jolissa Schlegel (7) and Taholah’s N’ayeli Ancheta (12) make a play at the net during the Wildcats’ straight-set victory on Thursday in Taholah.

PHOTO BY VAN ADAM DAVIS Ocosta’s Jolissa Schlegel (7) and Taholah’s N’ayeli Ancheta (12) make a play at the net during the Wildcats’ straight-set victory on Thursday in Taholah.

With the win, Ocosta moves 1.5 games up on No. 8 Taholah for the top spot in the 1B Coastal League with three weeks to go in the regular season.

“It’s a pleasure to play a team as talented both offensively and defensively as Taholah. They hit the ball well, put up solid blocks and dug many of our hits,” Snider said. “Games like this elevate our play and will prepare us for playoffs in a few weeks. This was a big win for us and a huge step in finding our confidence as a team.”

Ocosta plays at Wishkah Valley while Taholah has a key matchup against Willapa Valley when league play resumes at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

Ocosta 25 27 25 – 3

Taholah 21 25 14

Leading players: Ocosta – Schlegel (8-9 service, 16 kills, 8 digs), Cuzdey (11-14 service, 2 aces, kill, 19 digs), Davis (14-16 service, 5 aces, 4 kills, 5 blocks, 7 digs), Olive (15-16 service, 5 aces, 3 kills, 4 digs), Gruber (kill, 2 digs), M. Tucker (13-15 service, 12 assists, 3 digs), A. Tucker (12-13 service, ace, 8 assists, 5 digs).

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RYAN SPARKS | THE DAILY WORLD Montesano’s Kylee Wisdom (9) puts up a shot between Elma’s Jenessa Sackrider (3) and Emily Escoffon (14) during the Bulldogs’ straight-set win on Thursday in Montesano.

RYAN SPARKS | THE DAILY WORLD Montesano’s Kylee Wisdom (9) puts up a shot between Elma’s Jenessa Sackrider (3) and Emily Escoffon (14) during the Bulldogs’ straight-set win on Thursday in Montesano.

Montesano 3, Elma 0

Montesano remained unbeaten in 1A Evergreen League play with a 3-0 win over Elma on Thursday at Montesano High School.

The Bulldogs (9-2, 4-0 1A Evergreen) won 25-8, 25-10 and 25-7 against an Eagles team that was never really in it.

“Montesano is a great team. We had an awesome warm-up so I expected a battle tonight,” said Elma head coach Natalie Windle, whose team served just 26 times in the contest. “We had several unforced errors on our side of the net and Montesano keeps the pressure on, as they should. We just couldn’t recover.”

Montesano was led by seniors Karissa Otterstetter (10 kills, 16 assists, 12 digs), Kaila Hatton (10 kills, 22 digs) and Kylee Wisdom (10 kills, 2 blocks).

“The girls played good tonight. It wasn’t an extremely action-packed game but they did a good job of keeping the energy up, hustling and talking,” Monte head coach Cindy Wecker said. “We passed well on both defense and serve receive and we only missed three serves over three sets. Homecoming week can sometimes be a challenging week for games but the girls were pretty locked in tonight. I am proud of them for staying focused.”

Monte hosts Tenino at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Montesano.

Elma (4-6, 1-4) drops to fourth place in the league with the loss and will play at last-place Rochester at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Elma 8 10 7 – 0

Montesano 25 25 25 – 3

Leading players: Elma – Witt (5-5 service, 3 digs), Warren (4-4 service, 19 digs), Bogar (3-4 service, ace, 4 digs, 3 kills), Maners (5-5 service, 2 digs), Kish (2 digs, kill), Sackrider (dig, block, 2 kills), White (2-3 service, 5 digs, 3 kills), Kanios (2-3 service, dig, block, 4 kills), Sanders (dig). Montesano – Broten (2-3 service, dig), Warne (9 digs), Robinson (12-13 service, kill, 5 digs), Otterstetter (19-19 service, 2 aces, 12 digs, 10 kills, 16 assists), Blancas (5-5 service, 2 digs, 9 assists), Gooding (13-14 service, 4 aces, 3 digs, 2 kills), Perry (2 kills), Wisdom (8-8 service, 2 digs, 10 kills, 2 blocks), Hatton (10-10 service, ace, 22 digs, 10 kills, block), Prince (1-1 service, dig, kill, 4 assists, 2 blocks).

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Hoquiam 3, Rochester 0

Hoquiam remained a game back of the top spot in the 1A Evergreen League with a straight-set victory over Rochester on Thursday in Rochester.

The Grizzlies (7-4, 3-1 1A Evergreen) defeated the Warriors (0-11, 0-4) by scores of 25-15, 25-9 and 25-16.

The Grizzlies were led by the play of senior captain Katlyn Brodhead (27 assists), senior defensive specialist Avery Templer (20-20 service), junior libero Lexi LaBounty (16 digs, 8 aces) and freshman outside hitter RenaeJah Burtenshaw (13 kills).

“I am really happy with how we played as a whole. We communicated and passed really well, and because of that we were able to convert free balls into an attack,” Hoquiam head coach Heather Bozich said. “Overall, I think we really played solid tonight. I’m happy with where we are going into this weekend where we’ll be playing some really tough teams in Adna.”

Hoquiam sits one game behind Montesano for first place in the 1A Evergreen League and will compete at a tournament on Saturday at Adna High School.

Hoquiam 25 25 25 – 3

Rochester 15 9 16 – 0

Leading players: Hoquiam – Brodhead (27 assists), Templer (20-20 service), LaBounty (16 digs, 8 aces), Burtenshaw (13 kills), Burgess (5 kills).

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PHOTO BY LARRY BALE Willapa Valley’s Paislee Hurley (3) goes up for a kill against Naselle in a 3-2 victory on Thursday in Menlo.

PHOTO BY LARRY BALE Willapa Valley’s Paislee Hurley (3) goes up for a kill against Naselle in a 3-2 victory on Thursday in Menlo.

Willapa Valley 3 Naselle 2

Willapa Valley kept pace with the 1B Coastal League leaders with a 3-2 victory over Naselle on Thursday at Willapa Valley High School.

The Vikings (9-2, 7-2 1B Coastal) defeated the Comets (6-5, 5-4) won by scores of 26-24, 24-26, 25-18, 19-25 and 15-8.

“Super high energy game both teams were prepared for mentally and physically. We knew we would need to have big net play and hit hard tonight. Paislee Hurley was everywhere on the net tonight. I was happy with our hitting and aggressive serving,” Valley head coach Chelsea Kempton said. “Really, what made the difference was the girls deciding to play all out. We had our share of errors but they didn’t let their errors bring our momentum down. Five sets of back-and-forth volley is a big deal, I’m happy with how they persevered tonight.”

Hurley had nine kills to lead the Vikings while setter Sam Sheary recorded 12 assists for Valley.

The Vikings sit in third place in the league standings, a half-game behind second-place Taholah.

Willapa Valley plays at Taholah in a key league game at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

Naselle 24 26 18 25 8 – 2

Willapa Valley 26 24 25 19 15 – 3

Leading players: WV – Hodel (9 aces, 7 kills, 10 digs), Barnum (6 aces, 9 kills, 4 digs), Neva (3 aces, 4 digs, 2 assists), Channell (3 aces, 2 digs, 9 assists), Hurley (ace, 9 kills), Sheary (ace, 2 digs, 12 assists), Matlock (ace, 2 assists), Keeton (7 kills), Ruddell (4 digs).

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Raymond-South Bend 3, Ilwaco 0

Raymond-South Bend remained tied atop the 2B Pacific League with a straight-set victory over Ilwaco on Thursday at Ilwaco High School.

The Ravens (4-4, 3-0 2B Pacific) defeated the Fishermen (1-8, 0-4) 25-17, 25-16 and 25-17.

“We implemented a new line up that caused some confusion in all three games but it helped us immensely in our offensive output,” Ravens head coach Julie Jewell said. “I appreciate the whole team’s effort in working through the confusion and keeping their intensity up.”

Setter Berklee Morley had 16 assists while Ava Baugher had nine kills and 10 assists to lead the Ravens.

RSB is tied with Forks for first place in the league standings with third-place North Beach (3-6, 3-3) 1.5 games back in the loss column.

The Ravens host Forks in a battle for first place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in South Bend.

RSB 25 25 25 – 3

Ilwaco 17 16 17 – 0

Leading players: RSB – Morley (9-11 service, ace, 16 assists), Delgado (6-8 service), Baugher (5-5 service, 9 kills, 10 assists), Koski (13-13 service, 3 aces, 8 kills, block), Pine (5-6 service, 5 kills), Stigall (12-12 service, 5 aces), Stepp (15-15 service, 5 aces), Enlow (4-4 service, 6 kills).

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Other games

Aberdeen 3, Black Hills 2

Forks 4, North Beach 0

Mary M. Knight 3, Lake Quinault 0