Photo by George Kunke - The Raymond Lady Seagulls won their own volleyball tournament Saturday without losing a match in pool play, the semifinals and finals. The young Ladv Gulls host arch rival South Bend Tuesday.
Young but talented Raymond continued its fine play in volleyball under first-year head coach Julie Jewell with two wins to stay undefeated at 6-0, and in winning its own eight-team tournament Saturday at Seagull gym.
In their own invitational, the Lady Seagulls were perfect in pool play with a 7-0 record, defeating fourth-seeded North Beach in the semifinals, 25-20, 25-16 ,and then took down second-seeded Ocosta in the championship match 27-25 and 26-21.
"In the championship game, the serving of Caton Swogger (4 aces), Presley McVey, Ava Baugher, and Andrea Delgado were key to keeping momentum on our side," Coach Staats told the Herald. "Kassie Koski (5 kills) and Karsyn Freeman (10 kills) were offensive standouts. Defensive standouts were Jolie Dunn (11 digs) and Kyndal Koski (14 digs)."
Freeman spearheaded the title match triumph with a dozen kills and Alia Enlow added 6 kills.
"Kyndal Koski had three service aces and solid defense," Staats said. "Megan Kongbouakhay ran an effective offense (with) 23 assists."
The records and seedings in pool play included: 1. Raymond (7-0), 2. Ocosta (5-2), 3. South Bend (4-3), 4. North Beach (4-3), 5. Taholah (3-4), 6. Ilwaco (2-5), 7. Pe Ell (2-5), 8. Raymond JV (1-7).
Pe Ell defeated Taholah for third place.
Thriller vs Forks
Raymond went to Forks and took down the Spartans in five sets, 21-25, 26-24, 25-21, 24-26, 16-14 last Thursday night.
"Our youth really showed in this game,' Staats admitted. "We played tight too often and made errors that were uncharacteristic of us. But this was the most intense game most of my team has played.
"Forks' game plan was to go at Karsyn Freeman, serving and hitting at her, to take her out of her rhythm," Staats informed. "Karsyn really battled through that pressure. She passed well off serve-receive. She finished with 11 kills and 36 of 39 good serve-receive passes.
Alia Enlow came through with 9 blocks, 7 stuff-blocks and 8 kills.
"Our defense, Jolie Dunn, Baylee Price and Kyndal Koski, were key to our win," Staats added.
Forks fell to 4-3 with the defeat.
"Our JV also lost, also super competitive games, 26-24, 25-22," Staats said.
Gulls Sweep Leschi
Raymond blew out Chief Leschi in three games, 25-3, 25-8, 25-8, last Tuesday (Sept. 20) at home.
"We came out strong and played focused," Staats said. "We had very few errors tonight all across the board. Everyone contributed to the win, and we were led by our freshmen, Kassie Koski's offense (5 kills, 10 aces), four kills from Ava Baugher, and 100 percent serving and 16 assists from Megan Kongbouakhay."
Raymond prevailed in the junior varsity match, 25-22, 25-15.
Raymond's next four matches include North Beach (home, last night), at Napavine (tonight), at Winlock Tournament (Sat.) and at home vs South Bend Tuesday.