S P ORTS
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Cougars fall one win short
DESPITE FINISHING WITH THEIR BEST CONFERENCE RECORD SINCE 2014, COUGARS MISSED THE SHOT FOR PLAYOFFS
BY JACOB THOMPSON
SPORTS EDITOR @ SPOR TSED TH OM PS
Photos by Jonathan Villagomez
A t the end o f October, it looked like Clackamas Community College
the NWAC playoffs, the stage was set for aw in or go home play-in
volleyball w as headedback to the playoffs for the first time since
game.
2014. The Cougars were on a five-gam e winning streak that started
“ W e beat each other once and now w e know each other really
with a 3-0 sweep o f Lane (then second place in the South Region).
well and I think w e know what w e need to improve on for the next
Clackamas was sitting in fourth place with a record o f 8-4 and
gam e, so I thin k w e have the edge,” sophomore libero Rachel
needed one more w in to seal th e first playoff appearance under
McCoy Said on Nov. 7. “ W e’re going to beat Clark and go to the
Head Coach Sarah Hoeke.
[playoffs] and do. really well.”
After losing to Clark on Nov. 2, the Cougars looked to beat thifd-
rariked Chem eketa on Nov. 7 to clinch a playoff berth.
Clackamas won the first two sets 25-20 and 25-22, but Chemeketa
wasn’t going down without a fight. After trailing the Cougars 6-1 in
thethird set, Chemeketa stormed backand tookthe third set 25-19.
The fourth set w ent to Chem eketa who squeeked out a 25-23
w in to tie the set totals at twp and send the m atch into the fifth
and final set.
The fifth set was tied at 12-12, w h en Chem eketa’s freshm an
middle blocker, Delaney Sm ith, recorded three straight kills to
give Chem eketa the win.
“ W e just have to get rightbackin the gym and get ready,” Hoeke
Saturday was the third and final time Clark and Clackamas would
m eet this season. The winner of the match would be m oving onto
the playoffs, the loser would be finished with the 2018 volleyball
season.
Clark dominated most of the first set, scoring 23 points before
Clackamas reached 13. The Cougars rallied a little but fell 25-17.
In th e second set, Clackamas led 2 4 -17before Clark tightened
things 24-22, but Clackamas hung on for the win, 25-22.
The third set saw Clark jump out to a 13-3 lead, Clackamas battled
her goal o f leading the NWAC in digs with 573,
The Cougars may have missed the playoffs, but the 2018 team was
an improvement from 2017. According to sophomore outside hitter
Naomi Earwood, the highlight was bonding with her teammates.
back but fell 25-20.
The fourth set also w e n t to Clark 25-20, arid w ith th at the
“ I just love this team ,” Earwood said.“ I’m so glad that w e came
Cougars’ season had ended. One win short of a return to the playoffs.
together. Not that last year’ s team wasn’t good, but this year is so
said after the loss to Chemeketa. “ W e need to hone in on our skills
Overall Clackamas finished with a record of 22-18, finishing 8 -7
m uch different. The vibe between th e girls feels like a real team.
and get our confidence back. W e played really hard, w e just got to
in the south division. The roller coaster season saw the Cougars
W ecan all talk to each other, w e hang out outside of games and
get back on the grind. ”
w in three or more games in a row three times, but also had two
it’s been a great experience.”
Clackamas’ loss put them in a tie for fourth place in the South
losing streaks that lasted as long. Sophomore outside hitter Hanna
Region with Clark. With only four team s from each region making
Yamashita led the NWAC in kills with 4oo.and McCoy accomplished
Jonathan Villagomez contributed to this story.
Hanna Yamashita, above, guides the ball towards Chemeketa on Nov. 7 at home. Top right, coachSarah Hoeke directs the team from the sideline.
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B — Novem ber 14, 2018