In area volleyball last week, Cottage Grove lost to Marist Catholic 3-0 last week and went 0-2 against the Spartans for the season. However, they upset Marshfield 3-2 on Monday and went 1-1 with the Pirates. The Lions are in third place in Sky-Em league standings after facing Marshfield and Marist Catholic – who remain relentless threats in this league. Though, despite the dominant teams in Sky-Em, the Lions have sustained a Top. 10 ranking in Class 4A.
Creswell went 1-1 in the Mountain Valley Conference last week, losing to Sisters 3-1 on Tuesday and then earning its first victory over Pleasant Hill since 2022 on Thursday. Against Sisters, Teighlor Nunez had three kills, 10 digs, 35 assists, and two aces. Piper Hanson had 22 kills, 24 digs, and two aces. Marley Query had nine kills, two aces, and eight digs. Lastly, Rylee Cline recorded two kills, two aces, and 17 digs.
Pleasant Hill went 1-1 in the Mountain Valley Conference with a 3-0 win over Elmira on Tuesday and a loss to Creswell on Thursday. Against Elmira, leaders for the Billies were outside hitter Sari Strinz, who had 16 kills and 7 digs; Anna Crawford with 10 kills and 18 digs; and libero Jordynn Crawford with 16 digs and 2 aces.
In Class 5A, Springfield lost to Churchill 0-3 last week in the Midwestern League. After this loss, the Millers are on a four-game losing streak and sitting at 6th in league standings. Lastly, Thurston earned two wins last week in the Midwestern League, beating Ashland 3-1 and then Eagle Point 3-2. The Colts are 4-4 in league play.
PREVIEWS
#7 COTTAGE GROVE (9-5)
Setting up: The Lions replay Marshfield and Junction City as they begin to finish league play. The Lions’ stated goal this season was to “attack Sky-Em” and they are 2-3 in league play, which is third in the standings.
#13 CRESWELL (11-9)
Setting up: The Bulldogs play their last three games of the season next week. They’ll replay La Pine, Harrisburg, and Elmira. The Bulldogs are eyeing a second-place finish in the Mountain Valley Conference for this season.
#22 PLEASANT HILL (9-10)
Setting up: The Billies replay Sisters, La Pine, and Harrisburg for their last regular games of the season. Though the postseason is unlikely, the Billies can fend for a third- or second-place spot in the Mountain Valley Conference playoffs.
#25 SPRINGFIELD (6-11)
Setting up: The Millers hit the road to Ashland on Tuesday and then play Eagle Point on Thursday. New head coach Andrea Barrera said she is focused on building confidence this year for the Millers.
#20 THURSTON (6-7)
Setting up: The Colts play Crater and Churchill this week in the Midwestern League. Then, they’ll head over the pass to Bend to play teams in the Intermountain Conference.
