Volleyball championships Sunday, November 11, 2007

West Linn libero Kellie Kawasaki hugs outside hitter Alyssa O'Neil Nov. 10 after the Lions won the 6A state volleyball championship 3-0 over North Medford. Kawasaki was chosen player of the game for West Linn.

The 5A and 6A state volleyball finals were played last night at Liberty High School in Hillsboro (just west of Portland). In the 6A class (for the largest schools in the state), West Linn faced the comeback kids from North Medford. Considering that the teams were ranked fifth and third, respectively, neither was a shoe-in to make the finals, let alone win. North Medford had a particularly tough road, facing off against no.-1 Jesuit in the quarterfinals, and being giving Gresham five match points before finishing off the gophers in the semifinals.

West Linn prevailed in the championship match, 25-19, 25-18, 25-22, and were suitably joyful. This year's title is the fourth for the Lions, who last won in 2003.

West Linn fans and players celebrate on the court Saturday night after the Lions' win.

These girls will be a force next year as well, as only one of their players will graduate in June.

The jubilation at the end of the 6A match was in sharp contrast to the businesslike nature of the 5A match earlier in the evening.

Krissi Kemper, Kaitlyn Duncan and Esemeralda Orozco celebrate as Crook County successfully defends their 5A state volleyball title with a 25-17, 25-10, 25-17 win over Summit Nov. 10 in Hillsboro.

That game pitted Intermountain Conference rivals Summit and Crook County against one another.

Though Summit tried to resist, the game seemed merely a formality for the Cowgirls, who cruised to a 25-17, 25-10, 25-17 win.

According to one reporter, one of the Crook County girls told him something to the effect of 'it's not like the tournaments where we get to play against the bigger schools ... but it is state, so that's cool.'

Though their school's enrollment sits just below the 5A threshold, It isn't surprising that the Cowgirls don't consider the other 5A schools to be much competition: The only game they lost to a 5A school all year came to Ashland in the semifinals. They did lose three matches this year, all to Jesuit, the top-ranked team in the 6A class.

Crook County walks off the court after successfully defending their 5A volleyball title.

The first Crook County photo (above) was made instants after the last point. This image (left) was made just five seconds later. Compare these to the West Linn photos.











One more action photo:

Crook County senior Jessi Lea watches as her attack goes through the block of Kelsey Zimmerman and Riley Peters.

A few more volleyball photos Saturday, November 10, 2007

Elizabeth Bullock, Erin Kilroy, and Christa Grauert celebrate the final point of game 1 in their quarterfinal match against North Medford.

Here are a few more volleyball photos from yesterday. As noted below, North Medford came back to win the next three games and relegate Jesuit to the "breakfast bracket." Jesuit stomped all over Canby this morning. You can see all of the 6A results here, and the 5A results here.




Everybody watches as Kyle Jolley (no. 5) digs a ball for North Medford against Jesuit.













Wilsonville's Brynn Livesay (left) gets a finger on Amy Hasenoehrl's hit Friday afternoon in the Wildcats' loss to Summit in the 5A quarterfinals. Summit won in three games 25-23, 25-18, 25-21. Later Friday night, the Storm advanced to the state championship with a 22-25, 21-25, 25-21, 25-21, 17-15 win over West Albany.







Wilsonville junior Brynn Livesay looks to block Amy Hasenoehrl's attack in the Wildcats' quarterfinal match against Summit Nov. 9 in Hillsboro.

See also this story in the Ashland Daily Tidings.

Volleyball gets exciting Friday, November 09, 2007

(left) Gresham's Brittani Hathorn dives for a ball Friday night in the Gophers' semifinal match against North Medford at the 6A state championships in Hillsboro. (below) North Medford celebrates as they win game 3. After losing the first two games of the match, the Black Tornado came back to win games three, four and five. The final score was 18-25, 24-26, 25-20, 25-18, 16-14.
















Ashland junior Samantha Gilbert attacks in game two of the Grizzlies win over Friday night over Thurston in the 5A quarterfinals. Ashland beat the Colts 27-25, 25-18, 25-11. In the semifinals, played later that night, the Grizzlies lost to top-ranked Crook County in four games, 20-25, 25-11, 25-9, 25-10.




North Medford senior Erica Schultz tries to find a gap in the block of Mary Claire Brenner and Micaela Bisio in the 6A quarterfinals Nov. 9 in Hillsboro. North Medford stunned top-ranked Jesuit, winning 21-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-19.

Trying out for the team Tuesday, November 06, 2007

(left) Lincoln High School students stretch in the hallway before the opening night of tryouts for the girls' basketball teams. The Cardinals program includes varsity, junior varsity and freshman teams. (below) Team hopefuls chant "we love defense" under the watch of Coach Keya as they do a leg-strengthening exercise. (below left) The coaches compare notes.

Lincoln 3, Redmond 0 Sunday, November 04, 2007

Sophomore Carson Swope breaks between defenders Conner Flanagan (left) and Jeffry Villalobos to score the opening goal for Lincoln in the 67th minute of their 3-0 win over Redmond Nov. 3 in Portland. With the win, the Cardinals advance to the second round of the playoffs where they will meet Tualatin on Nov. 6.

Mostly a bunch of photos today. This was a good game to watch. Redmond and Lincoln were scoreless for the first three quarters of the game before the Cardinals finally got on the board with two goals in just over two minutes. They added a third goal in the 78th minute (of an 80-minute game) to seal the victory.

The light was really nice for the first half of the game. Unfortunately, the big plays came in the second half when the field was mostly shaded. But it was nice to shoot in the daylight for a change, and the weather was really nice for November.

(left) Lincoln midfielder Joe Sleven keeps Steve Bigelow at bay in the first half. Late in the game, Sleven scored Lincoln's third goal on a free kick. (below) Sleven and Bigelow dueled all afternoon in the midfield.














(left) Carsone Swope (no. 8) and Martin Kulander celebrate after Swope scored in the 67th minute to break a 0-0 tie.








(left) Less than three minutes after Swope's goal, Kulander added one of his own. (below) Redmond keeper Andrew Velasquez looks back to see Joe Sleven's free kick go into the net in the dying minutes of the game. Velasquez broke his hand on the last save of the game.

(9)Southridge upsets (2)Jesuit in overtime, 28-27 Saturday, November 03, 2007

Junior running back Kirk Werhane runs into the end zone to score for the Skyhawks in overtime Nov. 2 as ninth-ranked Southridge upset no.-2 Jesuit 28-27 in the final game of the regular season. The Skyhawks won when Jesuit missed a convert attempt in the extra period.

Friday night's Jesuit-Southridge game proved a thrilling finish to the season for the highly competitive Metro League.

Jesuit came into the match 4-0 in league play and had the opportunity to clinch the Metro League title with a win over Southridge. The Skyhawks (3-1), on the other hand, were looking for a share of the title and an improved playoff berth.

Jesuit's Anthony Blake tries to pick his way through a stack of gold helmets in the second quarter.

The early going was all Jesuit, with the Crusaders storming out to a 14-0 lead. Southridge came back with three touchdowns of their own
to take a 21-14 lead late into the fourth quarter.

Jesuit wasn't about to give up, though, and tied the game with just 22 seconds left on the clock.

Everybody! Let's chase Austin Cheek!

In overtime, the teams alternate possessions from the 25-yard line. Southridge got the ball first, and efficiently moved the ball, finishing with a five-yard run by Kirk Werhane.

Jesuit quarterback Scott Williams connected with Raphiel Lambert for a 25-yard touchdown to nearly even the score. But the extra point attempt missed. The Crusaders were stunned, and kicker Brenden McAleese was heartbroken.

The full house of Skyhawks fans, though, poured onto the field to celebrate with the team.

Kirk Werhane falls into the end zone in the to tie the game for Southridge in the third quarter. (below) Skyhawks players and fans celebrate the win on the field.

Gresham beats South Medford, 3-0 Wednesday, October 31, 2007

South Medford senior Carli Sash goes on the attack in game 3 of the Panthers' match at Gresham Wednesday night. South Medford was eliminated from the playoffs with a 25-22, 25-17, 25-15 loss to the fourth-ranked Gophers.

The Gresham Gophers advanced to the second round of the playoffs with a win at home Wednesday night over unranked South Medford.

After falling behind 9-3 in game 1, the fourth-ranked Gophers came back to take the match 25-22, 25-17, 25-15. They play no.-7 West Salem Saturday. That team had a bye in the first round.

The officiating in the match was questionable, but balanced. The referees missed a four- or five-hit play on South Medford's side and called in some Panther hits that landed long, but also called South Medford for lifting on a clear single-arm save.


Amiee Frutchey hits for the Gophers in game 2.

Carkeek Park Monday, October 29, 2007

Kim Sinclair walks along the beach Oct. 27 at Carkeek Park in northwest Seattle.

Carkeek Park is a mid-sized hiking park in northwest Seattle overlooking Puget Sound. Most of the park is forested with trails. Walking through the woods, you'd never know you were in a major metropolis. There is also an Environmental Learning Center and, across a walkway over the main rail line from Seattle to Vancouver (B.C.), a small gravelly beach.

The beach is really the delta of Pipers Creek, which runs through the park. According to the official website, "years of hard work by neighbors and volunteers have brought salmon back to Pipers Creek," but we didn't see any.

Riding the train

This weekend I took a trip up to Seattle to visit Kim. But rather than drive, I decided to take the train. It was the first time I'd taken the train in a few years, and it reminded me of how much there is to love about riding the train.

For a single traveler, the cost of the train ($76 round-trip, + $8 parking in Portland) isn't much more than the cost of gas these days, let alone the wear and tear on the car. The seats are wider than an airplane or bus, and you can wander around the train as much as you please. They have plugs for your laptop.

You do have to travel on Amtrak's schedule instead of your own, but you can sleep or work or whatever while you ride. And for me, at least, the stations are in very convenient locations at both ends of the trip.

As I rode up on Saturday morning I spent time processing some photos from Friday's work. It was a gorgeous day, and the scenery for much of the trip is beautiful. It is particularly nice between Olympia and Tacoma as the train runs alongside Puget Sound; the fall foliage across the water was radiant in the cool autumn sunshine.

Just as I finished my work and reached for my camera, though, we arrived in Tacoma where it was somewhat foggy and we promptly headed a ways inland. Sunday, too, was nice, but I took the evening train back to Portland in the dark.

Nathan spent most of the trip to Seattle walking up and down the train with his mother.

Barlow makes the playoffs

The Bruins' Kiyomi Cook pushes past Maddie Kaufman Oct. 25 in Barlow's 3-0 win over Gresham at Stapleton Field. With the victory, Barlow qualified for the playoffs. They will travel to North Medford for their first-round match on Saturday.

Barlow's girls' soccer team squeaked into the playoffs with a 3-0 win over Gresham Oct. 25. But the team is better than their 5th-place finish in the Mt. Hood Conference would indicate.

The Bruins forfeited their first four games of the season, including two wins and a tie, because of a paperwork problem.

They shut out their opponents for the remainder of the season to put themselves back in the playoff picture.

Saturday, they will be on the road against North Medford in the first round of the playoffs. You can see the full bracket for the 6A Girls on the OSAA's website.

Otis Cafe Friday, October 26, 2007

Patrons come and go from the tiny Otis Cafe on highway 18 in Otis, Ore.

The Otis Cafe is a tiny, little restaurant in Otis, Ore., just a couple of miles off the coast north of Lincoln City. The dining room only seats about 25 patrons, and you have to walk into the kitchen to find the restrooms.

But, as the whiteboard inside says, it's "worth the weight wait."

And we didn't have to wait that long. Even though it was busy enough that Pierce and I had to sit at the counter, we had clam chowder—thick enough to walk on—in front of us within ten minutes. The restaurant is known for its breakfasts, served all day, but it was lunchtime so we had hamburgers.

Perhaps the best thing about the cafe is the decoration. Just about every inch of the walls are covered with black and white pictures of fishermen with huge fish, old logging camps, and three-dimensional sculptures of hands holding coffee cups and doughnuts. Behind the counter, hand-made personalized mugs wait for regular customers.

The Otis Cafe was featured in this story in USA Today.

Pre-season workouts Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Makenzie Blythe (right) gives Mariella Ballanto some pointers on doing squats Oct. 22.

(right) Kelsey Goodell sprints on the track.






(below, left) Harry, Mariella and Makenzie compare muscles in the weight room. (below, right) Weight room supervisor Stan Caples has challenged Kelsey, Makenzie, and Mariella to climb the rope within two weeks.

Marmot Dam no more Monday, October 22, 2007

Water runs through the natural course of the Sandy River Oct. 19 for the first time in nearly 100 years, after PGE workers allowed the river to breach the Marmot Dam. The main dam was demolished in July. The remaining coffer dam was dismantled Friday when last week's rains brought up water flows in the river.

I spent several hours out at the Marmot Dam site on Friday. The early part of the day was unexpectedly sunny and warm, but later it poured hard for about 3 hours. Fortunately it let up just before the main event.

Check out www.MarmotDam.com for more about the largest dam removal project on the West Coast in more than 40 years. Many of these photos are mine.

More from the West Linn Invitational

(left) Genevieve Leineweber drills the ball past Sprague's Brit Langley Oct. 20 as Central Catholic rolls past the Olympians 25-17, 25-15, in the Gold Division quarterfinals at the West Linn Invitational.

Here are a couple more photos from the West Linn Invitational. The event is probably the top tournament in Oregon ahead of the state finals. This year the 24 participating schools included nine ranked teams from the 6A, 5A and 4A divisions.

After the round robins were completed in the morning, the top team from each of the six pools advanced to the championship bracket, along with the two best second-place teams. All of the expected teams made it to the "Gold Division:" Jesuit, Central Catholic, West Linn, Crook County, Gresham, Southridge, Reynolds and Sprague.

Jesuit, ranked no. 1 in the 6A poll, defeated no.-2 Central Catholic in the title match.



(left) Sprague coach Katie Herber talks to her players during a timeout.

West Linn Invitational Volleyball Tournament

Gresham's Amiee Frutchey (right) picks the line past Caitlin McDonnell Oct. 20 in the Gophers' quarterfinal match against the host school at the West Linn Invitational Volleyball Tournament. Gresham came from behind to beat West Linn 14-25, 25-19, 15-8. The Gophers lost to their Mt. Hood conference rivals, Central Catholic in the semifinal round.

(left) The ball gets through Jane Moesche's block.

I shot this game and the quarterfinal match between Central Catholic and Sprague. If I have time, I'll post some more photos later.

Workout Thursday, October 18, 2007

Lincoln High School sophomore Alexis Gleason works out in the weight room Oct. 17 under the supervision of Stan Caples. Gleason saw regular playing time off the bench on last year's varsity basketball squad. Now she's training in preparation for the upcoming season.

The girls at Lincoln High School have high hopes for this year's basketball team. They only lost one member of last year's state-tournament team to graduation, and most of the girls have been playing together for four years now.

I spent some time in the sweaty depths of Lincoln High School this afternoon photographing Lexi's workout. You can see more of my photos on my SportsShooter page, www.SportsShooter.com/matthewginn.

Central Catholic (2) defeats Barlow Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Central Catholic's Lily Wygal gets up over the ball Oct. 16 in the Rams' 25-12, 25-17, 25-17 win at Barlow.

Last night, the second-ranked Rams traveled to Barlow for a meeting with the Bruins. Not surprisingly, Central Catholic cruised past their opponents 25-12, 25-17, 25-17.

After a sloppy first game, Barlow showed moments of competence in the remainder of the match. Combined with a few lapses of concentration on the part of the Rams, the Bruins stayed close for much of games two and three.
But despite an enthusiastic home crowd, Barlow didn't have the depth to really threaten Central Catholic.







(left) The Bruins celebrate a point in game one. (below) Barlow's Taylor Canoso sets the ball for Kaitlyn Maddams in game two.
















(left) Cheyne Corrado, left, watches Barlow's Brianna Leenders and Sydne Sloy try to deal with a hit that fell inside their block. (below, right) Although Barlow never really threatened to win, Rams coach Rick Lorenz found something to bite his nails about. (below, left) Barlow's Nichole Rex, no. 12, and Jaydee Baxter both miss a shot in game three.