Another Long Streak May Be Long Time Coming

Smart money says that many years will transpire before another Greater Spokane League volleyball team approaches the winning streak that just ended for Ferris.

Mt. Spokane stopped Ferris’ 42-match GSL streak last Thursday, leaving the Saxons 10 short of the league record set by Shadle Park in the mid-1980s.

Shadle’s and Ferris’ numbers should remain intact unless the GSL undergoes a fundamental change.

When Shadle had its long streak, and when Ferris started its chase of the record, it was feasible for a strong sophomore-rich team to pile up close to 50 consecutive wins with three flawless seasons.

But the 16- or 18-match league schedules of previous seasons shrank to 10 last year. Now a team needs five consecutive perfect seasons to take a shot at Shadle’s record.

Even before the loss to Mt. Spokane, Ferris coach Stacey Ward spoke of this year’s GSL parity. No team, she insisted, has displayed the whole package that previous GSL state champions have had.

“We’re having to work harder than in the past,” said Ward, whose roster is limited to one senior.

Ferris (3-1), which plays at Mead (4-0) tonight, has been hit by injuries and illnesses. Junior middle blocker Nicole Brouillard hadn’t played any league matches heading into the Mt. Spokane contest, and played sparingly against the Wildcats. She either has a pulled leg muscle or a stress fracture.

Homecourt advantage?

Mt. Spokane had not been a factor in the GSL race since the school opened in 1997. But the current Wildcats appear a strong candidate to finish in the top six and qualify for district.

If so, the Wildcats should like the home cooking. Many district matches and all of the regional matches against the Big Nine are scheduled at Mt. Spokane.

The Big Nine biggies

Speaking of the Big Nine Conference, the league’s top teams so far are Walla Walla in the Southern Division and Kamiakin in the Northern.

Walla Walla (6-0) fought off Wenatchee (4-2) in five games last Saturday.

“The top teams in the Northern Division are Kamiakin, Wenatchee and Ike (Eisenhower),” said WW coach Digger Graybill. “We now have beaten Ike and Wenatchee, so we are excited to keep getting better so we can have a chance to play for a Big Nine Conference championship in late October.”

Pasco, another Big Nine team that usually competes for the top, was hurt by a season-ending knee injury to all-conference returner Brooke Lanning. Lanning, an all-tournament selection at the girls State 4A basketball tournament, will also miss the hoop season.

Crossed off of Crossover

The GSL’s high-powered tournament, the Crossover Classic, lost a $2,500 sponsor when Cavanaugh’s became WestCoast Hospitality. Tourney organizers are scrambling to fill the void.

The Oct. 14 tournament at five local high schools is expected to draw 40 teams. It will be the seventh edition of the brainchild of Lewis and Clark coach Buzzie Welch and former Shadle Park coach Linda Sheridan.

Mead is the defending champion.