From the Sidelines

Only watched games two days this week, but a lot was crammed in.

On Wednesday volleyball and girls JV soccer teams went to Charles Wright. Thanks to the volleyball team for letting the soccer girls ride along so they could play another game against one of the few schools in the league with a JV soccer team.

More than half of the 11 Pirate soccer girls who made the trip were recovering from illnesses, and the Tarriers weren’t in much better shape. The Pirates held up and some of the girls got to, or were forced to, play a full 80 minutes for the first time. With a 3-3 tie, the Pirate JV kept their un-beaten record intact.

Down 0-2 at the half, Vashon came back to take a 3-2 lead on goals by Samantha Clements, Taylor Hernandez assist; Megan Hackett unassisted and Anna Osborne, Hackett assist. The Tarriers tied it up to finish the scoring.

Pirate volleyball action in the Tarrier Dome at CWA

We got to see varsity volleyball for the first time this season and it was a good match to watch despite the unusual venue in the Tarrier Dome: rubber floor, strange lighting.

CWA took the first game 25-8, Vashon came back to take the next two 25-19 and 25-12, then things got exciting. The Tarriers tied the match with a 27-25 win in game 4. Charles Wright tied game 5 at 17-17 but apparently had an extra player on the floor. Usually cause to lose the point, the officials ruled in favor of the Tarriers and they took the next two points to win 19-17 and take the match 3-2.

Still an exciting game to watch.

The Pirate JV lost in an equally close match. CWA won game 1, Vashon won game 2 and the Tarriers took game 3. (JV plays a three-game match.)

Katie Chale, right, takes the ball away from Seattle Christian star Terrika Weaver.

Seattle Christian established itself as the class of Nisqually League soccer with a 3-0 win over the Pirates on Thursday.

Prior to the game I thought Vashon had a chance to win out and take the league title. I still think the Pirate girls can win out from here, but the Warriors are a formidable team.

Vashon had some chances earlier in the game, but the Warriors balanced attack and ball control was too much.

The Pirates’ next big challenge is at high-scoring Orting on Tuesday. They beat the Cardinals at home in the first meeting. Let’s see if they can repeat at the Cardinals’ home nest.

The Pirate boys ham it up at Spanaway Lake. Kevin Ross photo

Injuries and illness kept the boys cross country team from full strength yesterday according coach Kevin Ross. But it wasn’t all bad news. The two JV runners got a chance to test themselves in the varsity race and Aidan Cyra set a course PR by more than a full minute.

Team scores — Boys: Seattle Christian 34, Washington 47, Steilacoom 62, Fife 93, Vashon 99. Girls: Fife 36, Washington 50, Vashon 53, Steilacoom 76.

Coach Ross expects the boys to be at full strength for tomorrow’s Quincy Invite at The Gorge.