WRAP: Cross-country teams win on home course

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Fleet-footed Redhawks won their only home cross-country meet of the season, hard-hitting Quilcene volleyball players swept their competition, and fast-learning tennis players earned the team's first individual match wins. Here's the high school sports wrap as of Oct. 3:

CROSS-COUNTRY

Port Townsend took advantage of its home course to overcome the 1A Klahowya Eagles and 2A Kingston Buccaneers Sept. 28 at the Port Townsend Golf Club.

The Redhawks nabbed the three-way scoring wins in the boys’ and girls’ 2-milers, took the matchup with Kingston boys 25-32 and girls 20-35, and edged the Eagles 27-28 in both of the head-to-head league races. Coach Alice Fraser was pleased the Redhawks finally had all their athletes at a meet, and the results showcased the team’s depth.

“This meet was a bit of a preview for what's to come in our 1A district championship, as I believe that both Port Townsend and Klahowya will be in the top three at that meet in which the top two will qualify for the state championship,” said Fraser. “I think our athletes tend to extend well as the distance increases, and have typically performed very well at the district championship, so at this early point I’m cautiously optimistic about the post-season.”

Fraser was “really pleased to see the girls, and both the JV and varsity boys teams, start out the race in a controlled manner and steadily move their packs up through the ranks of opposing athletes who had gone out too fast and slowed throughout the race.

“Freshman Anika Avelino continues to adapt well to the longer high school cross-country races,” said Fraser, “and is showing herself to have a savvy head for racing and to be competitive with the top runners in the league.” Senior Brennan LaBrie is coming back well from his year in India, and should continue to improve throughout the season.

The PT program also wants to extend a big “thank you” to the Port Townsend Golf Club. “They've been amazingly generous in donating the use of the venue for our home cross-country meets over the last three years,” stated Fraser. “Every visiting team that’s competed here has complimented the quality of the venue for both the athletes and spectators. The general consensus among coaches is that it’s the best cross-country venue on the Olympic Peninsula, and compares favorably with any.”

RESULTS: Brennan LaBrie (11:01) led the PT boys contingent, finishing 2nd to Andrew Simon of Kingston. He was aided in the overall scoring by River Yearian (4th, 11:28), Jesus Duran (8th, 11:41), Gabe Petric (10th, 11:43) and Nathan Cantrell (13th, 11:54).

Topping the girls was Anika Avelino (13:33), 2nd behind the Eagles’ Holly Rouse, with Aliyah Parson (13:57) earning the 3rd spot. Ally Bradley (14:00) nabbed 6th, and Ari Winter (8th, 14:24) and Rachel Matthes (13th, 15:10) rounded out the scoring.

NEXT: At Bainbridge Island to compete against five 2A and 3A teams 5 p.m., Wednesday Oct. 5; at Nike Hole in the Wall XC Invitational in Lakewood 9 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 8.

VOLLEYBALL

QUILCENE

Quilcene defeated Chimacum (25-13, 25-12, 25-16) Sept. 26 in non-league action, and in league, dumped Crosspoint (25-10, 25-13, 25-12) Sept. 27, and Pope John Paul II (25-9, 25-22, 25-5) Sept. 29.

The Lady Rangers (7-0 league, 10-0 overall) added three shutout wins last week, and have yet to drop a set in their nine matches. “Crosspoint gave us some good rallies and we started to see Abbygael Weller start getting more kills, which she continued into the PJPII game,” said coach Joni Crowell. Bailey Kieffer and Emily Hitt had strong performances, bringing more strategy into their hitting and working harder angles. Allison Jones set strong in all the matches and also hit several tip kills. Katie Bailey provided strong defense and served a perfect 50/50 for the week, while Sydney Brown also stepped up as a strong server. “Madison Coffey has continued to improve her serve receive skills as well as strength at the net, putting down several key blocks,” said Crowell. “McKenzie Kieffer also has played strong at the net, reading the hitters better and making the moves to get to the ball."

Monday evening, Quilcene defended its home court by overcoming previously unbeaten Puget Sound Adventist in three sets (25-21, 25-17, 25-17) to take over the SeaTac League lead. Crowell felt the Sharks were the strongest team the Lady Rangers faced this season.

“We improved our teamwork and communication skills, as well as got to play under some pressure,” said Crowell. “Libero Katie Bailey stepped up tonight and entered our serve receive. Strong hitting from Emily Hitt and Bailey Kieffer dominated at the net and excellent net play from Abbygael Weller, as well as strong defense, helped propel the Lady Rangers to the top of the league.” Crowell added that Allison Jones continued to set well. Service was strong in the first two sets before faltering a bit in the third, and the squad continued to play hard throughout the match to nail down the victory.

STATS vs. Chimacum: B. Kieffer Serving 12/13, 6 Aces, 9 Kills, Dig, Block; Jones S 7/8, A, D, 14 Assists; Bailey S 25/25, 4A, 5D; Hitt 8K, 5D; M. Kieffer K, 4B; Pearl Munn S 2/3, A; Weller S 1/3, 11D, B; Coffey 1/5, K, 3B, D.

STATS vs. Crosspoint: B. Kieffer S 5/8, 8K, 2B; Jones S 14/14, A, 2K, 7D, 20 Assists; Bailey S 14/14, 4A 10D; Hitt 14K, 8D, B; Brown S 9/9, 2A; M. Kieffer 2 Assists, 2B; Weller S 4/4, 5K, 16D, B; Coffey S 10/11, 2A, 2D, B.

STATS vs. Pope John Paul II: B. Kieffer S 12/15, 5A, 10K, D; Jones S 19/19 A, 4K, 4D, 14 Assists; Bailey S 11/11, 2A, 6D; Hitt 7K, 5D, 1 Assist; Brown S 8/9, 3A; M. Kieffer K, 2D; Weller S 6/9, 6A, 8K, 5D; Coffey S 11/12, 2A, K, 3D, B.

STATS vs PSSA: B. Kieffer S 11/12, 2A, 7K, 2D, 6B; Jones S 8/10, A, K, 3D, 21 Assists; Bailey S 5/6, K, 13D; Hitt, S 6/8, 16K, 3D;

Sydney Brown S 13/13, A, 2D; Pearl Munn K, D, B; Weller S 8/8, 2A, K, 16D, 1B; Madison Coffey, K, 6D, B.

NEXT: League contests at Christian Faith 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5; at Evergreen Lutheran 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11; at Mount Rainier Lutheran 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 13.

CHIMACUM

The Lady Cowboys (0-1, 3-4) lost 25-13, 25-12, 25-16 to undefeated Quilcene on the road Sept. 26.

NEXT: Host non-league opponent Crescent 6:15 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 10; host league foes Port Townsend 6:15 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 11, and Klahowya 6:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13.

PORT TOWNSEND

Bremerton hung a 3-0 defeat on Port Townsend (0-1, 1-6) at the Redhawks’ home court Sept. 27, and the local netters fell to league opponent Coupeville 3-0 on the road Sept. 29.

NEXT: at Klahowya 6:15 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 6; at Chimacum 6:15 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 11; host 2A Kingston 6:15 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 13.

GIRLS’ SOCCER

CHIMACUM

No games scheduled in the past week for the Cowboys (0-3 league, 1-4 overall)

NEXT: Host 2A Port Angeles JV 4 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 6; at Port Townsend 6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 11; host Klahowya 4 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 13.

PORT TOWNSEND

The Redhawks (1-3-0 league, 1-6-1 overall) earned a 3-3 tie with 2A Bremerton at home Sept. 27, and followed with a 4-1 road loss to league rival Coupeville Sept. 29.

NEXT: At Klahowya 3:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 6; host Chimacum 6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 11; host 2A Kingston 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 13.

BOYS' TENNIS

The Chimacum–Port Townsend boys won two matches in a Sept. 28 contest with Coupeville. Port Townsend's Isaiah Treibel won his No. 1 singles match and Chimacum's Nate Miller won his No. 3 singles match. Coupeville won the overall match 5-2.

NEXT: At Coupeville 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5; at Klahowya 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11; host Coupeville 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13.