Roseburg sweeps North Medford in SWC match
JOSH GAUNT The News-Review
The Roseburg High volleyball team came together Thursday night at Robertson Memorial Gym and swept North Medford in straight sets in a Southwest Conference match.
Set scores were 25-18, 25-21, 25-18.
The Indians (3-5, 2-1 SWC) have won two out of their last three matches after losing four of five to start the season.
Hannah Bartlett had 11 kills, two aces and 17 successful serves for Roseburg.
“We meshed really well, we communicated and were confident in each other,” Bartlett said. “In our back row, front row, everything. We played as a team and it was really awesome. It clicked, it clicked.”
Chay Swenson added nine kills for the Indians. Breeze Hansen had six kills, while Alyssa Fox had four kills.
Freshman Mallory Malysz had 15 assists and Rylee Russell 16 assists. They both were 100 percent on their 11 serves. Karey Lomica made 27 digs and served 100 percent (12-for-12).
“Tonight really showed we’re coming together as a team. Our communication got a lot better,” Lomica said. “Overall I think we’re meshing a lot better then we have been. We’re getting used to our rotations and our younger girls are stepping up.”
Sophomore Madison Carter had two kills off the bench after not playing in the last five matches.
“Maddie did an incredible job tonight, she came out with confidence. Made great digs at the right time and got some kills,” Lomica said. “Mallory is running a great offense. They are stepping up in the roles they have.”
“I think the girls are finally understanding you win as one team. When it comes together for all of us, it’s amazing,” Roseburg coach Doug Magee said. “Maddie Carter hadn’t played in five matches and she came off the bench and did a whale of a job for us.
“The camaraderie that we’re getting is amazing,” Magee continued. “North Medford is a great team, so we beat a great team. It’s finally getting to the point where you beat good teams.”
The Indians are now 2-0 at home in conference play.
“It’s super important because that was a really big rival,” Bartlett said. “Super good team and that just knocked us up even higher, so I’m super excited for what we have to come.”
“It’s important that we won,” Lomica said. “It’s setting us on the right track for the rest of our league matches and hopefully we can come out on top.”
“The neatest things for these girls is they are going to learn to fight for themselves and fight for the game they love,” Magee said.
Lauren Barry had 10 kills and Kyleigh Lopez made 24 assists for North Medford (10-6, 1-2).
The Indians will play in the State Preview tournament on Saturday at South Albany High School. Roseburg resumes SWC play Tuesday when it hosts South Medford.
Part-time sports reporter Josh Gaunt can be reached at 541-957-4220 or via email at jgaunt@nrtoday.com.
