FIRE
CCC VOLLEYBALL WINS FOUR STRAIGHT GAMES; CLIMBS INTO SECOND PLACE IN THE SOUTH REGION
STORY A N D PHOTO BY JACOB THOMPSON ‘
SPORTS EDITOR <§>SPQRTSEDTHOMPjo/
Clackamas Com m unity College’ s volleyball team hard, that’s why we do what we do.”
defended their homecourt last week with a pair of
If the Cougars make the NWAC tournament, ft will
wins versus Mt. Hood Community College and Clark be the first time since 2014 and the first postseason
College, sweeping Mt. Hood and winning in five sets appearance with Hoeke at the helm. Hoeke feels the
versus Clark.
team has a certain chemistry that could help send them
The Cougars now sit in a two-way Tie with Lane back to the playoffs.
Community College for second place and believe it’ s
“ [The chemistry] is good, it’ s really good,” Hoeke
just? the beginning.
said. “ It’ s probably better than I’ve had in several
- “ S o fa r so good, [the season] is going well* and yearsTIt just feels good out there, they’re playing well
we’re excited,” Head Coach Sarah Hoeke said after together,, they’re meshing well together and it shows
the Cougars’ win.
when we play. ” v t
S
• Clackamas is currently 17-13 overall and their 4-2
Sophomore outside hitter Hanna Yamashita is leading
record in league play is one win short of last year’s total «the way for Clackamas in the kills department with 274
of four wins. The Cougars are tied with Clark College — the second most kills in the NWAC — but Yamashita
for third place in the South Region and have high hopes gives;cfehit to her teammates for her success.
for where their season iS'headed.
“ Honestly, it’ s my team, ” Yamashita said. “Without
“ Our goal is to go all ttie way [to the NWAC' my team behind me and talking to me, I wouldn’t be
Championship]',” Hoeke said. “ That’s what we push able to be successful in the front row. All the girls work
for,, that’ s what we practice for, that’s why we play hard in practice and it helps in our matches.” ■
: The Cougs’ defensive efforts are led by their gritty
sophomore libra Rachel McCoy. McCoy currently has
the second most digs in the NWAC with 392 and is
averaging 4.72 digs per set. McCoy is hoping to continue
to be d league leader in digs and aims to finish NO. 1
indigs in the NWAC.
“ I look at the stats every day and I’m edging on those
other girls,” McCoy said.-“ I’m keeping track and I really
want to end as number one sp it’s always in the back
of my mind. I want to do it for the team .”
W ith such a tightly contested race in the South
Region, Clackamas can’t afford to lose many games.
“ Having an off night can cost us in conference, but I
trustm y team and trust that we’Ube successful when
we need to b e ,” Yamashita said. “ We need to play
together, work hard and execute every single play.”
Clackamas hits the road to Salem today to face
Chemeketa Community College (9-15)3-3.) The match
starts at 6:30 p.m.
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Clackamas Print
theclackam asprint.com
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Clackamas Community College’s volleyball
. huddles during a stoppage in the O ct 3
match versus Clark College.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I __ _ October 10, 2018