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Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, August 24, 2016 A9 WEDNESDAY August 24, 2016 GU team ready to net wins Three varsity starters return this year By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle There’s been a shake up for the 2A Grant Union volleyball team and Wapiti League this year. One of the Prospector varsi- ty starters transferred schools, and fi ve seniors graduated. Adding to the changes, the Burns Hilanders, one of Grant Union’s toughest opponents, have moved from the 2A class to 3A. Kori Pentzer, who was an offensive force for the Pros- pectors the past two years, transferred to an Idaho school. Without her and the fi ve grad- uates, the team will have three returning varsity starters: se- niors Chelsie Kodesh and Heather Mosley and junior Mariah Moulton, each with three to four years of experi- ence on varsity. “They bring a lot of leader- ship to the team,” Speth said. Senior Natalie Stearns also has varsity experience. Speth said varsity starters and team positions haven’t been fi lled yet, but expected to have the fi nal roster complete next week. “It may change throughout the season as there is a lot of strong competition for a few positions,” she said. “I gen- erally like fewer on varsity to help develop team chemistry. We have so many athletes that can play all six rotations, so we usually have smaller numbers on varsity in the rotation.” Kodesh was libero, or de- fensive specialist, for the past two seasons, but she’ll return as an outside hitter, which she played as a freshman. “She is a strong passer and defender, and a smart hitter,” Speth said. “She’ll be consis- tent for us at this position.” During last year’s fi nal game at state, Kodesh fueled a rally with 11 straight service points, including two aces, contributing to Grant Union’s win over the Kennedy Trojans for third at the state tourna- ment. Moulton also brings out- side hitting energy to the team. “She has worked hard over the past year to develop her strength, and that is show- Chelsie Kodesh Natalie Stearns The Eagle/Angel Carpenter Grant Union volleyball team members give high-fives after drills at Monday’s practice. “ I’m excited to see how far we’ll go. I believe we can be league champions. We work well together with good attitudes, and we’re shooting for first this year.” Heather Mosley senior starter for Grant Union’s volleyball team ing already in her attacking,” Speth said. Moulton was selected for the Oregon All State third team last season. She led the team in serving percentage and was second, after Pentzer, in all at- tack and serve-receive catego- ries for Grant Union. Mosley returns as a middle hitter. “We look for her to con- tinue developing as an offen- sive force for us to go along with her strong blocking,” the coach said. Stearns will play a defen- sive role as libero. Speth said Stearns has worked on her passing skills and shows great control while moving the ball defensively. Other team positions will be ready to announce next week, Speth said. “A few of the players have been asked to switch positions, so we’re in the process of see- ing what works best for the team overall,” she said, adding they have a lot of strong play- ers to choose from. The Wapiti League mix of teams presents another change for Grant Union. With Burns moving to 3A and Cove to 1A, Grant Union will face Enterprise, Elgin, Im- bler and Union this season. Two teams will advance to the state playoffs. “Imbler will be our stron- gest league and state compe- tition this year,” Speth said. “They have a strong senior class that played a lot during the club and summer seasons.” Last year, Grant Union beat Imbler 3-0 at the Wapi- ti League Tournament with scores of 25-14, 25-17 and 25-22. Grant Union took sec- ond place, and Burns won the tournament. Grant Union volleyball 2016 Aug. 26: V/JV @ Crane, 2 p.m. Aug. 27: GU Tournament, 8 a.m. Sept. 3: V/JV @ Heppner Tournament, 9 a.m. Sept. 6: V/JV @ Culver, 5 p.m. Sept. 10: V @ North Marion Tournament, TBA Sept. 16: V @ Baker Tournament, 9 a.m. Sept. 20: V/JV vs. Crane, 4 p.m. Sept. 24: V/JV @ Enterprise, 12 p.m. Sept. 24: V/JV @ Elgin, 5 p.m. Sept. 27: V/JV/JVII @ Burns, 4 p.m. Sept. 29: V/JV/JVII vs. Imbler, 4 p.m. Sept. 30: V/JV vs. Union, 4 p.m. Oct. 7: V/JV vs. Elgin (homecoming), 3 p.m. Oct. 8: V/JV vs. Enterprise, 1 p.m. Oct. 14: V/JV/JVII @ Imbler, 5 p.m. Oct. 15: V/JV vs. Union (Dig Pink), 1 p.m. Oct. 18: V/JV/JVII vs. Burns (senior night), 4 p.m. Oct. 21: Wapiti District Tournament @ EOU, TBA Oct. 29: 1st round state playoffs, TBA Nov. 4-5: state championships, Redmond, TBA In 2014, the Prospectors were third place in league and took second to Burns in the state championship game. Speth said she’s positive about her team’s outlook this year. “We will be competitive in league and at the state level,” she said. The three Prospector se- niors expressed their optimism for the season, and all agreed winning districts would be a great way to cap off their se- nior year. Kodesh said the team has already shown their competi- tive edge in practice. “I’m looking forward to stepping up and being more of a leader this year,” she said. “We have a good chance to win districts.” Stearns said she especially appreciates the way the players support one another, realizing none are perfect. Heather Mosley “We’re all aiming for the same goal,” she said. “We all have good sportsmanship — we help each other and pick each other up.” All the seniors have played volleyball since grade school, including Mosley, who’s played since fi rst grade. “I’m excited to see how far we’ll go,” she said. “I be- lieve we can be league cham- pions. We work well togeth- er with good attitudes, and we’re shooting for fi rst this year.” Grant Union will host a tournament beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26. Teams competing include Grant Union varsity and ju- nior varsity, Burns, Crane, En- terprise, Heppner, Pilot Rock, Powder Valley, Jordan Valley, Prairie City, Monument/Day- ville and Weston-McEwen. Cowkids rustle up fun Volleyball youth get a handle on the sport Results from the Aug. 14 Cowkids Rodeo at the Grant County Fairgrounds. Peewee Division Wooly bullies: Nolan Mo- bley, fi rst; Paxton Waggoner, second; Trevor Sasser, third. Dummy roping: Paxton Waggoner, fi rst; Cruz Trevino, second; Kodee Kimball, third. Pole bending: Kodee Kim- ball, fi rst; Jadon Snow, second; Paisley Jennings, third. Barrels: Kodee Kimball, fi rst; Cash Coleman, second; Jadon Snow, third. Goat tail untying: Kodee Kimball, fi rst; Cash Coleman, second; Jadon Snow, third. Youth Division Calf riding: Taylor Parsons, fi rst; Tayton Harper, second; Jace Waggoner, third. Dummy roping: Colton Clark, fi rst; Denni Coleman, second; Savannah Watterson, third. Pole bending: Denni Cole- man, fi rst; Hayden Churchfi eld, second; Colton Clark, third. Barrels: Denni Coleman, fi rst; Hayden Churchfi eld, sec- ond; Taylor Churchfi eld, third. Goat tail untying: Taylor Churchfi eld, fi rst; Denni Cole- man, second; Colton Clark, third. (Breakaway roping had Day camps review basic, advanced skills By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle Contributed photo/LindseyWyllie.com Young Nolan Mobley competes with a wild ride in the wooly bullies at the Sunday, Aug. 14, Cowkids Rodeo. four competitors, no time.) four competitors, no time.) Junior Division Steer riding: Riley Robert- son, fi rst; Kase Schaffeld, sec- ond; Callie Arriola, third. Dummy roping: Lacy Churchfi eld, fi rst; Rowdy Is- rael, second; Riley Robertson, third. Pole bending: Lacy Churchfi eld, fi rst; Bailey Mc- Cracken, second; Sam Mc- Cracken, third. Barrels: Lacy Churchfi eld, fi rst; Bailey McCracken, sec- ond; Sam McCracken, third. Goat tying: Lacy Church- fi eld, fi rst; Quinton Johnson, second; Kase Schaffeld. (Breakaway roping had Senior Division Steer riding: Opie McDan- iel, fi rst; Warner Robertson, second; Ben Combs, third. Dummy roping: Trini- ty Hutchison, fi rst; Jackson Schaffeld, second; Opie Mc- Daniel, third. Pole bending: Regan John- son, fi rst; Cinch Anderson, second; Denali Twehues, third. Barrels: Denali Twehues, fi rst; Regan Johnson, second; Trinity Hutchison, third. Goat tying: Trinity Hutchi- son, fi rst; Denali Twehues, second; Cinch Anderson, third. (Breakaway roping had two competitors, no time) Volleyball players learned the basics of the sport, as well as advanced techniques, during the Aug. 4-5 day camps held at Grant Union Junior-Senior High School. Head coach Shae Speth said they had 14 attending the third- through fifth- grade camp and 14 at the sixth- through eighth-grade camp. “It’s one of the best camps I’ve had,” Speth said. She had several of her team members help with the camps, working one on one with the athletes. “We reviewed all the ba- sic skills of passing, serving, setting and hitting,” Speth said, adding they would also cover defense, blocking and playing the game. “This group (grades 6-8 camp) is ready for advanced skills.” Volleyball athletes get jump on season with camp Camp led by USA volleyball coach By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle The Prairie City School volleyball hosted a camp with Volleyball coach Jake High team USA Con- rad teaching skills of the sport. Prairie City head coach Louanne Zweygardt said 14 participants came from Prairie City, John Day, Dayville and Monument for the Aug. 2-5 camp. Coach Conrad is a for- mer Junior National team player and has been coach USA Volleyball for 10 years. He was also a libero for Lewis University and a setter for Carthage Col- lege. He currently coaches at Sky High Volleyball club in Chicago, Illinois. “We were very happy with the progress made by all the players at camp and learned a great deal from Jake about volley- ball and about coaching,” Zweygardt said.