Thursday, Sep. 24, 2009

Volleyball notebook: Parity rules in CBBN

By Rene Ferran, Herald staff writer

Three weeks into the CBBN season, there are no undefeated teams left in the league -- a fact that does not surprise any of its coaches, who figured the league was as balanced top-to-bottom as it has ever been.

Witness Southridge, for instance, which routed Eisenhower eight days ago, then got swept at home by Richland on Saturday and dropped the first set to winless Moses Lake on Tuesday.

Suns coach John Lengphoun-praseut said the compressed schedule, which added another league date this year with Chiawana joining the fray, has played a factor in his team's uneven play.

"We are competing every other day, and it's very tough on the girls," he said. "I hate this crazy schedule with a passion."

With other teams, the flu bug has bitten hard -- none harder than Eastmont, which had to reschedule three matches (Hanford, Kamiakin and Southridge) after five starters went down to illness.

"We got back in the gym for the first time (Tuesday), and we still did not have a complete team," said Wildcats coach Tim Davison, whose team returns to action tonight against the Suns. "Hopefully, we can get the season back on track."

-- The contenders for the SCAC East title should become clear by Tuesday night. Royal hosts River View tonight and travels to fellow unbeaten Connell on Tuesday. ... Hermiston was without top hitter Mary Shae Hays on Tuesday but got past Madras in four sets. The Bulldogs have opened Intermoun-tain play 3-1 in their bid for their first state berth since 2002.