Richard Dye / Mainstream
Linsey Jones blasts a shot past two of Linn-Benton's defenders.

Riverhawk Volleyball Prepares for Playoffs

By Hannah Hawkins & Richard Dye · The Mainstream
Published November 14, 2012

The Riverhawk women’s volleyball team was victorious against Linn-Benton Nov. 2, winning the match in three straight games (25-22, 25-20, and 25-21) putting UCC volleyball in second place in the NWAACC as of Nov. 6.

However, during the sophomore recognition evening of Nov. 3 the women faced a hard fought battle against Chemeketa Community College, losing in 5 sets, (18-25, 27-25, 26-19, 16-25, 15-9).

Head coach Chris Werner didn’t accept the loss well and in an email attributed the loss to the other team’s desire, determination and aggressiveness. The loss gives the team a 27-17 record, but the team continues to remain in second place.

“Chemeketa was fighting for their playoff life,” said Werner.

The afternoon was emotional for the team and a reaction to the loss was visible to all who were in attendance Saturday.

“The Chemeketa loss was a hard pill to swallow for myself as well as my teammates,” said Jenifer Larkin.

Approximately 100 people were in attendance in the Riverhawk nest for the Nov. 3 game against Chemeketa and sophomore recognition night. The Riverhawk players were publicly honored by having their jersey numbers encased in glass frames. The sophomore players’ families were invited onto the court before the game to pose with their perspective players for a picture and wish them good luck.

Exactly two weeks previously, Umpqua had demolished Chemeketa in a holiday tournament, beating them 25-9, 25-7, and 25-11. However, the Storm seemed to be seeking revenge.

Umpqua won the first set 25-18, with an aggressive offensive start, receiving 15 of their total 25 points from kills alone, but Chemeketa eventually overcame the Riverhawk defense handing the Riverhawks a loss 3 sets to 2.

Designated as a back court team member, Alexis Ruffing accomplished 35 digs in the game against Chemeketa. Her defensive pay earned her the NWAACC’s South Region Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season.

Not alone in her triumph over the NWAACC, Ruffing is joined in glory by Melissa Lund who has been honored with the NWAACC’s South Region Setter of the Week. Lund came away with 34 sets against Chemeketa and another 25 sets while playing against Linn-Benton.

”We all know that we need this win to stay second and have good placement for the first round of the NWAACC tournament,” said Melissa Lund after the game.

The repercussions of losing to Chemeketa put the Riverhawks in third place. They needed either to win the game or Linn-Benton needed to lose a game, in order to maintain the second place standing and have a better seeding for the NWAACC championship tournament being held at Mt. Hood Community College Nov. 15-18.  Linn-Benton lost the game, securing the second place ranking for the Riverhawks.

“If we stay positive and play together as one team and not six individuals, then we will do great,” said Lund.

The team’s strategy is clear and Werrner has a plan of execution all the way up until this season’s final game of the tournament.

“Our philosophy of attacking is to try and encompass all our hitters to be effective; it comes down to three things: 1) Being Aggressive, 2) Making sure we do the little things correctly like controlling second balls (in or out of system) so we can attack, and 3) Strong Passing, Serving and securing second place,” said Werner.