Sports Zone

The week ahead: fall sports

Volleyball

■ The big match this week in volleyball is the rematch between No. 3 Creswell and No. 8 Pleasant Hill at Pleasant Hill. Last time these two teams faced was on Sept. 8 at Creswell. The Bulldogs would win a close four-setter despite an impressive showing from Pleasant Hill sophomore Cheyenne
Green
. Creswell’s tough defense was led by captains Lizabelle Osborn, Kimmy Kelsey, and Kendyl Whitson. Those three will need to have a big match this time around to keep bragging rights in a Mountain Valley Conference that has four of the top 10 teams in 3A.

■ No. 9 Thurston has two home games this week, one against winless Ashland and then against Churchill. The Colts have a three-game road trip coming up soon, and could use a 2-0 week against teams they should beat.

■ Cottage Grove finds itself in unfamiliar territory as the Lions are 1-10 on the season. The Lions will need to start winning now if they hope to make the playoffs, but their schedule isn’t doing them any favors as they travel to No. 8 Marist Catholic and No. 1 Marshfield.

■ Springfield hosts No. 10 North Eugene next Thursday in its sole match of the week.

BOYS SOCCER

■ No. 9 Cottage Grove has two late evening games this week. The Lions host Junction City tonight before traveling to No. 19 Marist on Tuesday.

■ No. 13 Springfield has two games this week, at home vs. North Eugene and at Eagle Point. The Millers sit at 3-4 in the middle of the pack, but could put themselves in a good spot with two wins this week.

■ No. 19 Pleasant Hill has two games they should win this week against Sisters and Santiam Christian. The Billies stand at 5-1-1 on the season and with two wins would put themselves in prime position for a favorable playoff seeding.

■ Creswell has an important week ahead. The 2-3-1 Bulldogs have a three-game slate against beatable teams, and they will need to win at least two if they hope to stay in playoff contention. Creswell faces Santiam Christian and Siuslaw away and hosts La Pine in the three games.

■ Thurston’s only game this week is a home game next Wednesday against No. 16 Churchill

GIRLS SOCCER

■ No. 4 Thurston is in the midst of a five-game home stretch and has only one game this week versus No. 15 Churchill.

■ No. 14 Pleasant Hill has a huge rematch this week against No. 10 Sisters, the only team to hold the Billies scoreless this season in a 0-0 draw on Sept. 8.

■ No. 17 Springfield has a tough schedule coming up, starting with No. 6 North Eugene and No. 11 Eagle Point this week.

■ Creswell faces two teams this week that it has already beaten this season. The Bulldogs travel to La Pine, who they beat 3-0 last time, and host Siuslaw, who they beat 5-3 already this fall.

■ Cottage Grove is still looking to find its footing on the season, but have a winnable game at home vs. Junction City tonight. The Lions will need the win as they travel to face No. 2 Marist next Tuesday.

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