Taken by storm
Injured ‘Hawks fall short of victory
Front row from left to right: Jocelyn Valencia, Katelyn Knight
Coming off a loss to Linn-Benton the night before, the Lady ‘Hawks fell short again after three games against the Chemeketa Storm on Oct. 12. Umpqua (0-4 in conference, 2-10 overall) could not get going, resulting in a short match. Having received a minor concussion in the game the night before, Kathryn Epler was forced to sit out the entire match.
“I really hated it [not being able to play with the team]. But I got to see how we play from a different perspective. Now I know where I can be better on the court,” said Epler.
The already short-handed team missed Epler in the rotation. However, Danae Perkey from Cottage Grove, the team’s lone sophomore covered well with 23 assists and countless second touches.
“This season my sophomore and setter, Danae Perkey, has been the court captain during our games. I feel this has been a great role for her and she has done a great job,” said head coach Lacy Pinard.
As a team, Umpqua showed a solid performance during the games. Jocelyn Valencia, a Douglas High School graduate, had 17 digs and two kills. Mariah Gladden from St. Maries, Idaho had nine digs and 11 kills. Katelyn Knight, a freshman from Milwaukie, Oregon, had nine digs and seven kills.
Although the ‘Hawks were able to hang with Chemeketa throughout each game (13-25, 21-25, 18-25), Umpqua was never able to take a commanding lead and was taken out by the Storm.
Cheryl Yoder, UCC Athletic Director, encourages the team to keep their heads up through this journey. “I know they’ve been working really hard. They’re just really short in numbers this year. The lumps that they are taking as freshmen will help develop them for next year as leaders on the court as sophomores.”
The Riverhawks will host Mt. Hood Community College on Nov. 1 at 6 p.m. Admission is $1 for students, $3 for seniors and $5 for adults.