ONALASKA — Mossyrock came out firing the first set, stole the momentum early and put away Onalaska in three sets (25-16, 25-14, 25-21) in non-league action Saturday in Onalaska.
The Loggers, who had their four-game win streak snapped with the loss, were plagued by unforced errors and an unusually dismal serving day, while the Vikings took advantage with powerful hitting by Paige Houghtelling, Payton Torrey and Hailey Brooks.
“The first set kind of took the wind out of the girls,” Onalaska coach Jenny Hamilton said. “They just got defeated. We look at it as a great Saturday practice to get ready for Toutle Lake next week. This is a good learning lesson.”
Brooks spearheaded the Vikings with a team-high eight kills and added 13 digs and two aces. Houghtelling tallied seven kills, 12 digs and a match-high four aces. Torrey finished with six kills, a team-high 14 digs and one ace.
“Those three are really playing solid,” Mossyrock coach Alex Nelson said. “They’re all-around good players. The others are great contributors, too.”
Viking’s Caelynn Marshall chipped in 100% serving (7 for 7) with a game-high 18 assists to go with eight digs, while Erin Cournyer finished with nine digs and 16 assists.
The Vikings went with a new lineup, moving middle blocker Paige Houghtelling to outside and moving Jolee Hadaller to the middle, and Nelson said she was pleased with how it worked.
While Mossyrock’s outside hitters hammered spikes, Onalaska did a decent job digging them up, the Loggers just struggled with free-balling too many times and were unable to set up their offense efficiently.
“Our defense played hard,” Hamilton said. “The score could have been a lot worse.”
The Loggers were led by junior outside hitter Morgan Hamilton’s match-high nine kills to go with 11 digs and 6 of 7 serving. Sophomore setter Dakota Hamilton handed out 10 assists and had three kills.
“The Hamilton girls were ready to hit,” Nelson said. “Onalaska started out pretty competitive and we had to battle back that first set. But we have pretty good serving and that’s how we pulled away.”
Senior OH Hannah James tallied 11 digs and three kills, libero Raelee Holmes had a team-high 18 digs and Andi Oliver contributed three kills. Desi Smith and Jen Lipsey each served 100%.
Onalaska (4-2) hosts Winlock on Monday. Mossyrock (3-1) hosts league rival Pe Ell on Tuesday.
