CHS Volleyball

"The hitting was much improved in this game," Bruins Coach Heidi Shultz noted. She also praised the defensive effort, which she said "set up our offense to get more hits than they usually do."

Taryn Struck led CHS's outside attack with eight kills, while the team's middle blockers, Frankie Krentz and Emma Swanhuyser, scored five and two respectively.

Struck, with eight digs, and Kyla Fadness, with six, led a defensive effort that produced 26 digs total and extra scoring chances for the offense.

Setter Mariah Rawding recorded 17 assists as a focal point of the offense. "Mariah has been improving every game as a setter, making better choices and setting the hot hitters," Shultz noted.

Moreover, Krentz, Swanhuyser and right-side hitter Monika Swick made life difficult for Ilwaco's hitters, combining for 10 stuff blocks.

Serving also played a key role in the victory. The Bruins tallied 16 aces from the service line. Rawding (11/11 overall) served five aces and Swick added four.

"We've been working as a team to place our serves, and it seems to be paying off," Shultz said.

At Castle Rock 3, Columbia 0:

The host Rockets turned the Bruins away in straight sets, 25-5, 25-11, 25-9, in Sept. 21 Trico action.

Highlights for the Bruins included the serving of Kristen Orr (5/5, 2 aces) and Mariah Rawding (4/4, ace), Taryn Struck's defense (10 digs) and Emma Swanhuyser's four kills.

"I was proud of the girls for continuing to improve each game, and for not getting down on themselves, despite the lopsided loss in game one," Shultz said.

Columbia 3, at Toledo 0:

On Sept. 16 the Bruins captured their first Trico win by downing the Indians in straight sets, 25-9, 27-25, 25-13.

Taryn Struck played a strong all-around game for CHS, finishing with 19 digs, five kills and four aces. Frankie Krentz and Emma Swanhuyser anchored the middle and furnished six and four kills respectively.

Mariah Rawding and Josie Hurn each contributed three service aces to the scoring effort.

Ridgefield 3, at Columbia:

The Bruins experienced a case of the nerves in losing their Sept. 14 Trico opener to the Spudders, 25=10, 25-10, 25-7.

"The girls had a hard time getting over their nervousness," Shultz said, and added, "They were good, but we made a lot of errors in hitting."

Emma Swanhuyser paced the CHS attack from the middle, scoring four kills, a stuff block and several partial blocks. Monika Swick contributed three kills, six digs "and some consistent passing."

Rookies Kyla Fadness and Mariah Rawding finished their Trico debuts with 10 digs and 11 assists respectively.