Sports notebook: U-Hi, EV seek volleyball berths

University and East Valley volleyball teams are seeking returns to their respective regional high school tournaments following a year’s absence.

The Titans, fifth during the Greater Spokane League season, have two shots to reach the 4A playoffs next weekend against teams from the Columbia Basin League. East Valley, which finished a game behind U-Hi in the GSL, plays North Central for a berth in the 3A regional.

Tournaments are today at Mt. Spokane with U-Hi facing Shadle Park at 1 p.m. If the Titans win, they qualify for regionals. Lose and they play Central Valley or Gonzaga Prep for the GSL’s final regional spot at 7 p.m.

Match will be preceded at 9 a.m. with the Bears vs. the Bullpups. At 11 a.m. the Knights play and if they win they face Mt. Spokane for the District 8 3A championshp at 3 p.m.

U-Hi opened tournament play with a 25-21, 25-18, 25-14 victory over CV on Tuesday.

Kasey Jurich and Eileen Chatfield had 10 kills each during the sweep. The Bears’ Alyssa Hood had eight. Chanel Ratkovich had 23 digs for the Titans, and Ashley Semler 18 for CV.

“West Valley earned a third of the Great Northern League volleyball championship, but still has some work to do before District 7 2A tournament competition which begins Wednesday.

The Eagles lost a rugged five-game match in Colville on Tuesday and beat Clarkston to finish 12-2 along with the Indians and Pullman.

The trio split matches during the year to finish and now must play off Monday in Cheney beginning at 5 p.m. to determine which two earn district byes.

WV lost 25-14, 24-26, 25-21, 23-25, 15-6 in the showdown against the Indians. They won at home over the Bantams, 25-12, 25-22, 25-11. Melissa Mauro had a two-game total of 22 kills.

“A regional berth is at stake when Freeman plays Chewelah, 11 a.m. today at Central Valley when the Great Northern League concludes.

The Scotties need to beat the Cougars for a berth and could finish as high as second. If they lose, it will take victory in a pigtail match with the Caribou Trail’s fifth place finisher to qualify for a chance at one of four state berths.

State spots on line

Central Valley is chasing a pair of state cross country team berths today, and West Valley hoped for like success on Friday.

The GSL 4A and 3A regional meets today at Wandermere Golf Course determine this year’s entrants, team and individual, for the 10 meets next Saturday at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco.

CV’s girls had a 10-0 league season and will be among the favorites to capture one of three team berths to state. Eden Lake and Brianna Barsten were top runners on last year’s seventh-place state team, and Ari Rios-Foucault is another state veteran. A pair of freshmen – Madi Barnes and Josie Warner – this year ran near the top this year and as many as five other Bears competed in a varsity race.

The boys bring back four runners, Jayson Taylor, Bryce Aguilar, Jason Stoker and Andrew Cesal from last year’s state third placer and they were mainstays on this year’s GSL second placer which lost only to North Central. The Bears and Mead will be among the 4A favorites. Three teams qualify for state.

West Valley boys tied for first and girls were second in the Great Northern League which advances three teams each to state.

Richard Keroack, Michael White, Joey Hartmeier, Alex Hanson, Justin Degenhardt, Steve Foster and Dillon Hettinger all ran on last year’s third-place state 2A finisher.

The Eagles girls, led by state returnee Krystal Hughes, were part of a four-team Friday race for three team berths.

Individually, Class B third-placer Jeff Pope from Valley Christian, University’s Stevie Gildehaus, and East Valley’s Lauren Bergam are state veterans all.

“On Thursday, Freeman boys and girls teams qualified for state. Both earned the final berths from a regional that sends four teams each to Pasco. Mackenzie Deruyter finished fourth for the Scotties in the girls race and Chad Monson was seventh among boys.

Trailhead golf continues

Members of the Trailhead Ladies Golf Club continue to take advantage of mild October weather.

During Oct. 24 play, Marcia Rowley shot 47 to win A flight, and Mary Anne Evans netted 30.

B flight winner was Bev Johnson at 51, and Joy Russell finished with a net 36.

C flight was won by Marilyn Collins with 63, while Myrlene Haskell netted 34.