Prep Volleyball: Mark Morris breaks even, Kalama grabs bronze at Monarch Challenge
Looking Ahead: MM vs RAL match will kick-start busy week at the net
Jordan Nailon / blastzonenews@gmail.com
The hosts from Mark Morris finished 2-2 at the Monarch Challenge on Saturday as a swarm of high school volleyball teams took over Ted M. Natt Court for a one-day tournament. The final match of the day was an all-Trico League affair when Seton Catholic defeated King’s Way for the championship.
As for the Monarchs, they defeated Battle Ground (25-11, 25-19) and Aberdeen (25-16, 25-19), but fell to Seton Catholic (16-25, 15-25) and King’s Way (26-24, 14-25-14).
Aliyah Yaple led the Monarchs at the net with a dozen kills and 11 blocks in the tournament. Makenzie Henthorn added 11 kills, while Alena Anderson and Aela McNeilly each contributed seven kills to the cause.
“I thought Aliyah had a great day all around,” MM coach Carmen Hewitt said. “Makenzie Henthorn also had a tremendous day, really making gains in her hitting.”
Zoey Cole orchestrated the Mark Morris offense with 32 assists before going out with an injury, and Rio Dieter dished out 19 helpers for the Monarchs. Lexi Gunter anchored the Monarchs on defense with a 74% mark on serve-receive attempts.
“Rio Dieter took over and did a great job of running the offense. Rio impresses me everyday with her decision making, defense, and consistent sets. Our serving also improved,” Hewitt added.
Chinooks fight for 3rd place finish
Kalama rattled off three straight wins at the Monarch Challenge before falling to King’s Way in three sets at the Monarch Challenge. The Chinooks defeated W.F. West (25-22, 25-17, 25-17), Hockinson (26-24, 26-24, 27-26) and Woodland (25-23, 12-25, 15-11) before falling to the Knights in three sets (25-20, 22-25-11-15).
“This tournament shows how tough the 1A league is,” Kalama coach Rebecca Clark said. “All four teams made it to the semifinals and championship beating out the 2A schools.”
The other semifinal match was between Seton Catholic and Columbia-White Salmon.
Taylor Hoggatt fortified the ’Nooks defense with 55 digs over the course of the tournament, while Jacey Hutchinson contributed 60 assists, 18 aces and 14 digs in a Swiss-Army knife performance.
Emily Capen led the Kalama offense with 43 kills. Lily Harvill added 14 kills and five blocks, while Sophia Trevino posted 13 kills and three aces.
“My middles did an amazing job tonight playing aggressive and being tough at the net,” Clark noted.
Kalama (4-3, 1-3 league) will get a chance to test themselves against the Bruins in league play on Tuesday at Columbia-White Salmon starting at 7 p.m.
Battles all Around
The Monarchs were joined in their home tournament by Seton Catholic, King’s Way, White Salmon, Kalama, Woodland, Hockinson, Castle Rock, Evergreen, Aberdeen, Shelton, Elma, Black Hills, W.F. West and Battle Ground. Slot the Mark Morris between Kalama and Woodland that’s the final order of teams based on results from Saturday’s expo.
“We learned a lot, and got a ton of touches,” Hewitt said. “Those are great volleyball teams and playing them allowed us to grow.”
Now, the Monarchs will turn their attention squarely to the Lumberjills from the other side of Lake Sacajawea.
Mark Morris (2-3, 3-5 league) will trek over to Nichols Boulevard to take on R.A. Long (3-4, 2-4 league) for an important 2A Greater St. Helens League battle. The season’s first indoor Civil War will get started at 7 p.m. at The Lumberdome.