The Dalles netters open league with two wins

THE DALLES — The No. 5-ranked The Dalles High Riverhawks got off to a great start in their eight-game Tri-Valley Conference volleyball schedule, as they won their first two league matchups.

Following a 3-1 nonleague road loss to the Pendleton High Buckaroos (10-3) on Sept. 16, the Riverhawks responded after a week off by winning 3-0 over the Madras High White Buffaloes (2-1 TVC, 6-10 overall) on Sept. 23 and 3-0 over Gladstone on Sept. 25.

The Riverhawks, guided by third-year Coach Teresa Morris, were led offensively in the two games by sophomore outside hitter Jazzy Morris-Holmes (Teresa’s daughter), junior middle blocker Evelyn Rogers, senior middle blocker Cleo Corbin and senior outside hitter Camila Beltran. Senior setter Caitlynn Gatton and freshman setter Taylor Tuia have been key players, as well, as they are the Riverhawks’ top assist leaders.

“We have other players who are stepping up and contributing well on the court, including Evelyn, Cleo and Camila,” said Morris. “Evelyn has stepped up pretty big with blocking and she’s sometimes one of the leaders in games with kills. Camila is doing very well, and she’s a real hard-hitting player. Cleo has also stepped up and she’s a good threat in front of the net for us with her hitting skills.”

The Riverhawks played a nonleague road game Sept. 27, winning 3-2 at No. 10-ranked Astoria (7-3).

Morris said the team is serving much better of late. “We’re definitely serving a lot more aggressively this year, which is something that has been very helpful for us,” she said.

Morris-Holmes leads the Riverhawk offense with 90 kills. Senior middle blocker Corbin has also been a strong force in front of the net with 41 kills, and junior middle blocker Rogers has 21 kills.