Volleyball started strong but gave up too many scoring runs to Clackamas at home on Oct. 2, losing 0-3. 

       The first set started with a 3-0 run from the Scots, but Clackamas scored the next 10 for a 10-3 lead. The Scots responded well, however, scoring five of the next 11 to cut the deficit to 16-9.  Clackamas went on another tear, to end the set 25-12.

       The Scots sustained an even better start to the second set, leading 8-6 before Clackamas went on a 14-1 run to lead 20-9. Douglas gave another late surge, scoring four more before the set ended 25-13.

       Douglas took that late momentum into the final set, leading 13-6, before Clackams again went on a run to tie the set 17-17. From there, it was a back and forth battle, but Clackamas’s late push ended the match 25-19.

       “Our defense was strong, we were very motivated to compete,” said coach Janeen Rainey. “It was the first game I really saw a passion to win. The girls are definitely stepping up to the challenge.”

       Volleyball has a young team and is in a rebuilding year, after a strong class of seniors graduated last year. The team is 1-11 on the year.

       Senior libero Kiley Mann said the team has “had some struggles putting the ball away and finishing the point.” In practice, coach Rainey has been emphasizing these areas and the team hopes to improve on them. 

       Playing strong teams like Central and Barlow has also been good practice for younger players on the team to work on their mental game.

       The team defeated Reynolds 3-0 on Sept. 24, and Mann says she looks forward to playing them again. They meet Reynolds again on Thursday, Oct. 17.