Volleyball: Southridge wins La Grande Invite title

The Southridge Suns rebounded from a Mid-Columbia Conference loss to unbeaten Kamiakin by sweeping through their six matches at the La Grande Invite, including the final against the host Tigers on Saturday.

Southridge earned its first La Grande title.

“It was good bounceback after the loss to Kamiakin on Thursday,” Southridge coach John Lengphounpraseut said. “We made some adjustments, and we improved quite a few areas we need to work on. It was good today.”

The Suns met Nyssa in the early rounds and won 25-7, 25-15. Now-graduated Southridge setter Kylie Fraga sprained her ankle while warming up for last year’s semifinal against the Bulldogs, and Southridge lost the match.

“It was kind of payback,” Lengphounpraseut said.

Alyssa Palmer finished the tournament with 43 kills, 42 digs and seven aces.

Makenna Behrens led the Suns in digs (74) and aces (14), and Kamaile Moody had 130 assists for Southridge, which faces Pasco on Tuesday night.

“I picked them to be in the top three teams in the league this year,” Lengphounpraseut said. “They have some kids, I put three of them on my club team, and hopefully they don’t come back to bite me.”

Set scores: Southridge d. Baker City 25-14; d. Nyssa 25-7, 25-15; d. Grant Union 25-14, 25-16; d. Hermiston JV 25-1, 25-10; d. Weston-McEwen 25-9, 25-18; d. La Grande 25-13, 25-17. Southridge—Alyssa Palmer 43 kills, 42 digs, 7 aces; Jordan Mix 40 kills, 37 digs, 5 aces; Maddisen McNeill 19 kills, 10 blocks; Makenna Behrens 74 digs, 14 aces; Kayla Conrad 22 aces, 27 digs; Kamaile Moody 130 assists, 18 digs.

Tri-Cities Prep 3, Lind-Ritzville 1: Claire Essex had a productive day with 13 assists, eight kills and 11 digs to lead the Jaguars to a nonleague win over the Broncos in Pasco.

Katie Casazza led the attack with 14 kills, while Danika Whitsett added 20 assists and seven aces for TCP (3-1).

Set scores: Tri-Cities Prep 25-21, 22-25, 25-21, 25-14. Tri-Cities Prep—Danika Whitsett 20 assists, 7 aces; Claire Essex 13 assists, 8 kills, 11 digs; Katie McDonald 11 kills; Katie Casazza 14 kills; Mary Seiner 20 digs.

This story was originally published September 27, 2014 at 11:20 PM with the headline "Volleyball: Southridge wins La Grande Invite title."