The Dalles wins first round match, advances to 4A state volleyball tourney

“I’m very proud of the team; they’re a good group of girls, they come to practice, and they work hard all season,” said Coach Teresa Morris. “This was one of our goals to make it to the state tournament and it’s a goal for every team, actually. When all of them play their best game, I really think that we can beat anybody. It’s just hard to find them in a game with everyone playing at the top of their game, but I’m hoping that we’ll do that at the state tournament.”

The first-round winner advances to the Friday 8 p.m. semifinal versus the winner of a quarterfinal match between the No. 7-ranked Skyline Conference champion Henley High Hornets (17-3) and the No. 2-ranked Marist Catholic High Spartans (18-3). The Crook County-The Dalles loser plays Saturday in an 11 a.m. consolation round match.

“Our biggest goal is to go to the tournament and get a win,” said Morris, whose squad has not won a tournament game in the two years they’ve been there. “I think we’re capable of doing that. … There’s not one huge powerhouse there. Marshfield (No. 1 ranked, 22-2 record) and Marist are very good, but all the teams there are beatable.”

The Riverhawks and the Cowgirls tied for first place in the TVC standings as both had a 9-1 record. The teams split two regular season matches, with both winning home games.

In the matchup against Scappoose (13-5), the Riverhawks built a 20-14 first-set lead. The teams traded points and an ace served by junior setter Caitlynn Gatton made it 23-17. A kill by senior outside hitter Chrissy Geary gave the Riverhawks set point at 24-17, which was followed by a Gatton ace for the 25-17 victory.

The second set had a nearly identical conclusion to the first. The Riverhawks jumped out to 22-16 lead and a Geary kill made it 23-17. After an Indian hitting error, the Riverhawks went up 24-17 and a Gatton ace helped propel the Riverhawks to a 25-17 victory.

In a thrilling third set, the Riverhawks fell behind 9-3 and used a 7-0 service run by senior setter Maddie Brock to take a 10-9 lead. Following four ties and three lead changes, the Indians fought back to get a 26-24 win.

The Riverhawks fell behind 13-9 in the fourth set, forcing a timeout by Coach Morris. A 4-0 Riverhawk rally knotted it 13-13, which was followed by five consecutive ties, with the final one at 18-18. A kill by TVC Player-of-the-Year Jazzy Morris-Holmes lifted the Riverhawks in front 20-18.

“It feels great to be going to the state tournament and we’re hoping to win a couple of more games there,” said Morris-Holmes, a freshman outside hitter.

The Riverhawks extended their lead to 22-19, as senior middle blocker Laci Hoylman served the third of her three straight service points. Geary pounded a match-winning kill to the floor for a 25-22 victory to send the Riverhawks to the state tourney.

“It was an emotional game for me for sure,” said Hoylman, a TVC first-team, all-league recipient. “It’s super exciting to be going to the state tournament three years in row and I feel like it’s definitely a blessing for me.

“We’re hoping to win our first game, and I think we even have a chance to win the championship.”