Baker too much for Tiger netters
Ontario faces a must-win game against La Grande to make postseason
By Scott Ford
Argus Observer
scottf@argusobserver.com
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 10:07 AM PDT
Ontario—The Ontario Tigers have not been able to figure out the Baker Lady Bulldogs on the volleyball court all season.
In fact, no Greater Oregon League team has been able to, as the Bulldogs remain undefeated in GOL play.
Tuesday, in Ontario, the Lady Tigers gave their best effort — in the first game at least — but could not knock off this Baker powerhouse, losing in three matches, 25-23, 25-18 and 25-8.
“We started out really good,” Ontario head coach Katie Branch said. “But then we fell apart mentally.”
Branch said her team began the night with some fire and were giving the Lady Bulldogs a run for its money in the opening game. However, that fire soon dwindled, and Baker dominated the night.
“We were hitting the ball hard and taking their (Baker’s) best shots,” Branch said. “But then, it’s like we ran out of juice. We quit attacking, and we stopped playing the way we started. It was a disappointing night for the team and for me.”
Leading the Tigers were Kendra Babcock with five kills and nine digs. Ali Babij logged four kills and four blocks, Hayley Reever notched 15 assists and Ashley Rock tallied 13 digs.
Baker has six wins over Ontario this year.
“Baker is a great team,” Branch said. “However, we could have played better than what we did against them.”
Sitting on a 12-18 overall record and 4-4 in the GOL, Ontario faces La Grande Thursday with the playoffs on the line.
“If we win, we are in the playoffs. If we lose, we are done,” Branch said. “It will be senior night for us, so hopefully, that will provide the spark we need to play hard and get the win we need.”
So far this season, Ontario and La Grande have played three times, with La Grande winning two of those meetings, one in a tournament and the other a GOL matchup.
In the last meeting, Oct. 20, Ontario came away with the 3-2 victory, and will need one more win to make the state playoffs.
With a win, the Lady Tigers will be the No. 2 seed and will host the No. 3 seed from the Sky-Em League, which could be any one of three teams — Sisters, Cottage Grove or Marist. All three are tied with 10-2 league records.
The 4A state playoffs begin Nov. 4.
