Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008

Southridge's Clark signs with LCSC

HERALD STAFF

Southridge senior Elizabeth Clark was so sure she wanted to join the Lewis-Clark State program after visiting the Lewiston school this weekend, "I almost signed my letter in my hotel room."

But she realized she wanted to share the moment with her coaches -- Suns coach John Lengphoun-praseut and club coach Hugh Harris -- so she tempered her enthusiasm until after Southridge's season-ending CBBN home win over Hanford on Wednesday.

"It was a surprise to them," she said. "Coach L. wanted me to hold off, but I just couldn't wait. I am really excited about it. I figured everybody was here, so let's just do it."

Clark, who averaged 2.7 kills (116 total) and 1.3 blocks (57) in leading the Suns to a 12-1 league record and a No. 8 state ranking. They are the No. 2 seed to next week's district tournament.

LCSC, 23-1 this season, is ranked 10th in the nation in NAIA and leads the Frontier Conference.

Notes

Kerrin Molton took over the Liberty Christian program four years ago at the same time as a group of seven freshmen she looked to mold into champions.

The Patriots won a share of their first league title a year ago, and Tuesday night they clinched the Southeast 2B South crown with a four-set victory over Dayton.

More important, they clinched the No. 1 seed to next week's district tournament, avoiding two-time district champion Tekoa-Oakesdale until the finals. The top two teams advance to state.

LC will open district play next Thursday against Asotin.

"That was very important, both for momentum going into districts and just to do something no other LC team has done," said Molton, whose team finishes the regular season tonight at DeSales. "We felt like we had something to prove to keep the No. 1 seed when we go up against the other side of the district.

"We went up to the Gar-Pal tournament this year and we were within two points of Tekoa in both games, so that helped boost our confidence. We've had some good teams in the past, but this is the most cohesive of the four teams I've had."

The Patriots are led by senior OH Megan Bradshaw, who's been on varsity since her freshman year, and setter Ashlynn Smith, a club veteran who has started for two seasons since transferring from Kamiakin as a sophomore.

They also got a boost with the addition of freshman OH Shanita Hill, also a club player who has moved into the starting lineup.

The lineup for next week's CBBN 4A district tournament is set.

The only question left to be answered in tonight's regular-season finales is the seeding behind league champion Kamiakin and runner-up Southridge.

Walla Walla can clinch the No. 3 district seed with a win tonight at Pasco, which would drop Richland to No. 4. A loss, though, combined with a Richland victory over winless Sunnyside, and Wa-Hi drops to the No. 4 seed and Richland is No. 3.

Pasco can finish as the No. 6 seed with a win over Wa-Hi but drop to the No. 8 seed with a loss, combined with an Eisenhower victory over Moses Lake.

Kennewick is No. 6 with a win over Davis and a Pasco loss, or No. 7 with a win and a Pasco win.