VOLLEYBALL
Gulls top Grizzlies
Karlee Freeman made a successful return to the volleyball court as Raymond downed Hoquiam, 23-25, 25-15, 25-18, 25-19, in a non-league season opener Tuesday night at Hoquiam Square Garden.
Freeman, who missed last season with a knee injury, jump-served eight aces. She also hammered 19 kills, while committing only one hitting error.
But the Seagulls, according to coach Bob Swogger, didn’t take control until they stopped relying exclusively on Freeman.
“In the second, third and fourth sets, we were able to spread it out,” Swogger said. “We were able to eliminate the mistakes we made in the first set, served tougher and attacked the ball better.”
Maddi Murray added seven kills and served two aces for Raymond. Makenna Williams was commended for her serving and setting.
Karlie Krohn and Kamimi Papp each had 10 kills for Hoquiam, with Krohn cited for all-around play. Reylynn Dunn brought up 28 digs and Kacey Pelan had 19 assists for the Grizzlies.
“We started out great, but we played more not to lose than to win,” HHS coach Heather Bozich said.
Hoquiam won the JV match, 25-19, 25-10.
Both teams will be at home Thursday, with Hoquiam hosting Seton Catholic and Raymond entertaining Onalaska.
Bulldogs fall in four
CHEHALIS — Class 2A Chehalis topped Montesano in four sets in a non-league season opener Tuesday at Chehalis.
Details were unavailable. The Bulldogs host Aberdeen on Thursday.
Wildcats 8, Hawks 0
TACOMA — Kennedy Merino and Kjirstin Hopfer scored three goals apiece and Adriana Huerta added four assists as Ocosta opened the season with a non-league rout of Mount Rainier Lutheran on Tuesday at the Concordia Lutheran field.
The Wildcats (1-0) scored four times in each half. Merino converted the rebound on a Hopfer shot off the crossbar in the eighth minute. Following an own goal in which the Hawks accidentally put the ball in their own net, Hopfer scored off a through ball from Huerta and Merino took a centering pass from Hopfer to complete the first-half scoring.
Abriana Ness also scored for Ocosta in the second half. The Wildcats launched 46 shots, but only 19 were on-target.
Wildcat coach Mike King was particularly impressed with Huerta’s playmaking and field leadership.
“She controlled (things) defensively and did a great job of passing,” King said. “Our defense stepped up and prevented them from having a lot of opportunities.”
King also cited the team’s conditioning. The Wildcats suited up only 11 players for a match played in 90-degree weather.
Ocosta opens Central League play Monday at home against Toledo.
