Blue Mountain Conference season underway

HITTING THE NETS: The Elgin volleyball team has gotten off to a great start to the 2009 season. - Observer file photo

Union started its season out with a three-game sweep against Wallowa over the weekend. The Bobcats won 25-22, 25-22 and 25-16.

Brenda Miller finished the match with a team-high 12 kills, while Jesse Reynolds came in with nine kills.

The Bobcats finished the game with a total of 20 digs for the match.

“We played a really strong match,” head coach Mendy Clark said. “We were really quick out there and got to a lot of balls. Wallowa is a stingy defensive team, but the girls were in the right spot at the right time the majority of the match.”

Clark thought this match was a learning experience for her team, one that hasn’t played a whole lot of volleyball together.

“The girls are starting to figure some things out,” she said. “I think they are starting to gel and are progressing as a team.”

In other Blue Mountain Conference action this weekend, Enterprise competed in a 10-team tournament at Riverside.

The Outlaws played five matches, coming away with a record of 2-3 for the tournament, good enough for second in their pool.

Enterprise faced off with Mac-Hi to start play, downing the Pioneers in the one match they played. The tournament was set up to where the teams played one game to 30.

The Outlaws dropped the next two matches against Irrigon and Wallowa, but rebounded with a win against Umatilla.

Riverside defeated Enterprise in the Outlaws’ final match of the tournament.

“This weekend was just a chance for us to see what type of team we have,” head coach Amy Stangel said.

“I saw some good things and some stuff that we need to work on. But overall it was a good weekend for us as a team.”

Elgin had the most success out of the teams in action from the BMC last weekend. The Huskies took first place in the 32-team tournament in Yakima, Wash., displaying some potential for what might be yet to come this season.

Elgin defeated Mac-Hi, Riverside and Imbler to claim the championship in the talented field.

“We played very well in Yakima,” head coach Twilia Ivins said. “We played as a team throughout the tournament and we were just on fire at times. I couldn’t ask for a better performance from the girls.”

Ivins said Tara Ludwick was a star for the Huskies, playing outstanding defense and living up to her all-league status of a year ago.

Outside hitter Chantelle Malone had many highlights during play, including serving, where she had 10 points.

Sophomore Shelby Smith played a key role in setting up her teammates for points, and the entire team seemed to be clicking in all facets of the game Ivins said.

“It was a total team effort, and that’s what you want as a coach.”