Its their first outright league title since 1996

Last week was a huge week for Clackamas High School’s volleyball team.

After handling fifth-ranked Lake Oswego (25-14, 25-12, 25-20) on Oct. 16, the third-ranked Cavaliers dropped Canby in three games last Thursday, 25-18, 25-12, 25-19.

With the pair of wins, the Cavaliers improved to 9-0 in the Three Rivers League, assuring themselves of sole possession of the 2012 TRL title. Lake Oswego (7-2) finished last week second in the standings, with but one league match remaining.

The outright league title marked a milestone for the Cavaliers, who shared the TRL title with Lake Oswego and West Linn last year, and with West Linn two years ago.

It’s the first time since 1996 that a Clackamas volleyball team has won the league title outright. West Linn, which entered play this week with a 4-5 record in league, had been league champion or league co-champion for 15 straight seasons before this year.

“It’s really special for me, because my dad’s been coaching at Clackamas a long time, and West Linn’s been league champion or co-champ like forever,” said Clackamas senior co-captain Hannah Stultz. “We’ve been co-champs with them the last two years, and now, finally breaking that barrier, it feels really good.”

Last week’s lopsided win over Lake Oswego was especially heartening for the Cavaliers, because the Lakers had taken Clackamas to five games in a match played at Lake Oswego earlier in the season.

“We put together probably our best match of the season,” Clackamas coach Jim Stultz said of last week’s match with the Lakers, which was played on Senior Night at Clackamas. “We had a game plan that the girls knew very well. They stuck to that plan and came out with a decisive victory.

“Our serving was amazing. We forced them to pass out of system most of the match.... Our blocking was solid and we were solid defensively....

“We passed their serves well. Kiana Miller and Shelby Vasconcellos-Mattocks were amazing.”

Cavalier senior Kiana Miller had a career night at the service line, going 22-for-22, with three ace serves.

Junior outside hitter Taylor Agost (18 kills, .414 efficiency) and sophomore outside hitter Lauren O’Brien (10 kills) headed the offense.

Junior middle blocker Bailey Bremer had three blocks, while Agost and senior setter Hannah Stultz had two blocks apiece.

Miller and Stultz headed the defense, with 20 digs between them. Stultz was credited with 29 assists.

The Cavaliers continued impressive in last Thursday’s match at Canby.

Vasconcellos-Mattocks was on fire, putting 13 of 21 attacks to the floor for kills.

Miller had 10 digs, and she was 13-of-13 at the service line, with two aces.

Hannah Stultz came through with a double-double: 24 assists and 10 digs.

The Cavaliers were to meet West Linn on the road in their Oct. 23 league final.

Members of the Cavaliers’ 2012 TRL championship team include: seniors Hannah Stultz (setter), Shelby Vasconcellos-Mattocks (outside hitter/middle blocker), Kasey Toedtemeier (opposite hitter/setter), Sydney Wilson (libero), Kiana Miller (libero) and Claire Walker (defensive specialist); juniors Taylor Agost (outside hitter/middle blocker), Tara Deaver-Noblisse (defensive specialist), Emma Chizum (opposite side hitter). Shelby Torgerson (opposite side hitter), Cassidy Scott (middle blocker) and Bailey Bremer (outside hitter/middle blocker); and sophomores Lauren O’Brien (outside hitter/middle blocker), Caroline Combs (outside hitter) and Marissa Rhodes (defensive specialist/setter).

Nadia Boria and Niki Trautman are assistant coaches.

Ranked third in the state, the Lions begin postseason play next Wednesday, Oct. 31, when they host a first-round match of the 32-team Class 6A state playoffs. With a win on Oct. 31, they’d play at home again in the Saturday, Nov. 3, second round, with a berth in the eight-team Class 6A State Tournament on the line. The Cavaliers placed fifth at state last year, dropping a five-game match to Aloha in the third-place final.

Asked about Clackamas’ chances of winning a state championship in volleyball this season, Hannah Stultz said: “It will be tough, because there a lot of teams in the top five [in the state] that have beaten each other. But if our team plays like we’ve been playing and keeps having good practices, I think it could go to anybody, including Clackamas.”

Central Catholic, Jesuit, Clackamas, Roseburg and Lake Oswego were ranked first through fifth respectively in the OSAA Class 6A power rankings heading into this week’s matches.

Kingsmen tough

in the NWOC

The Rex Putnam Kingsmen last week continued to prove themselves without question one of the top teams in the Northwest Oregon Conference.

They gave the St. Helens Lions all they could handle in a tough five-game loss on Thursday (20-25, 21-25, 25-21, 25-17, 15-7), after handling Parkrose earlier in the week (25-19, 25-27, 25-20, 25-18).

The win over the Broncos was the Kingsmen’s fifth league win in a row.

Putnam was to conclude the regular season this week, playing Sherwood on the road on Tuesday (Oct. 23) and playing Sandy on the road on Thursday.

The Kingsmen (7-5) entered play this week having locked up at lease a top-four finish in the NWOC. Sherwood (12-0), St. Helens (10-2) and Liberty (8-4) were the conference’s top three teams.

Summers sparks La Salle

with 11 service aces

Amanda Summers played a major role, as La Salle made quick-work of Gladstone on Oct. 18, winning in three quick games, 25-7, 25-8, 25-11.

The 5-8 sophomore setter came through with no fewer than 11 ace serves, and she had 17 assists.

Sophomore Kylie Westermeijer headed the offense, with eight kills.

Sophomore Meghan Studdard (9 digs) and junior Gaby Timmen (7 digs) were tough on defense.

“Our ladies took care of business,” said La Salle coach Liz Banta. “They played consistent through the entire match.”

It was a long trip home for the Falcons on Oct. 18, as they lost to Madras in three games, 25-20, 27-25, 25-17.

Through play last week, the Falcons sported a 6-3 record in the Tri-Valley Conference, trailing Estacada (8-1) and Madras (8-1). They were to conclude the TVC season on Oct. 22, hosting Estacada.

The Falcons will finish as the No. 3 team from the TVC.