Local report: YVCC stays alive at NWAACC volleyball tourney

GRESHAM, Ore. — Yakima Valley stayed both alive and in title contention in the NWAACC volleyball tournament Friday, and could conceivably have an exceptionally busy day today.

The Yaks won their second straight loser’s bracket match, 25-15, 21-25, 15-9 over Umpqua, with Tori Farias totaling 11 kills, two aces and eight digs.

YVCC meets Linn-Benton at 10 a.m. today and, if it continues winning, could play as many as six matches.

“It’s play ‘till you drop,” said Yaks coach Al Rogers. “We’re the only (number) four seed still playing.”

Raini Weaver produced 10 kills and Kylee Huffman and Taylor Flores combined for 30 assists for YVCC, which improved to 25-11. The Yaks, ranked seventh in the most recent NWAACC coaches poll, finished third in last year’s tournament.

This year’s event, being played at Mt. Hood Community College, continues through Sunday.

YVCC highlights: Tori Farias 11 kills, 2 aces, 8 digs; Raini Weaver 10 kills; Samantha Harris 10 digs; Danielle Najera 15 digs; Kylee Huffman 17 assists; Taylor Flores 13 assists.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Henton leads YVCC in opener

Brandi Henton scored 24 points in her Yakima Valley debut to lead the Yaks to an 86-54 rout of Grays Harbor in their season-opener Friday in Sherar Gym.

YVCC, playing the first game of its Tip-Off Tournament, also got 16 points from Brittney Newcomb, a returner from last season’s NWAACC championship team, and 14 from Jaimi Cox.

The Yaks meet the College All-Stars at 3 p.m. today in a tourney semifinal. Walla and Blue Mountain will oppose each other in the other semi at 5.

The tournament concludes Sunday.

GRAYS HARBOR — Kerner 1-1 1-2 3, Nash 4-8 0-0 8, Patterson 3-7 0-0 6, Haleyon Swisher 5-9 5-6 13, Ad. Stowers 3-8 2-2 8, Rydman 0-3 0-0 0, Mercedes Brown 4-13 6-8 14, Carlson 0-0 0-0 0, Ar. Stowers 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 20-51 14-18 54.

YAKIMA VALLEY — Brittney Newcomb 6-12 0-0 16, Brewster 3-7 0-1 6, Bryant 0-4 0-0 0, Brandi Henton 9-12 2-4 24, Katina Ferguson 6-9 0-0 12, Jaimi Cox 6-12 2-2 14, Swetzof 0-1 0-0 0, Gonzales 2-10 0-0 5, Lekson 2-8 0-0 4, Strom 2-5 0-0 5. Totals 36-80 4-7 86.

Halftime — YVCC 43, GHC 23. 3-point goals — GHC 0-3 (Rydman 0-2, Brown 0-1); YVCC 10-19 (Newcomb 4-4, Bryant 0-1, Cox 0-1, Gonzales 1-5, Lekson 0-2, Strom 1-1, Henton 4-5). Fouled out — None. Rebounds — GHC 39 (Brown 7); YVCC 40 (Ferguson 5, Strom 5, Henton 4). Assists — GHC 14 (Nash 4); YVCC 24 (Gonzales 6). Turnovers — GHC 22, YVCC 8. Total fouls — GHC 8, YVCC 17.

Wildcats roll in coach’s debut

SEATTLE — Sophie Russell scored 18 points to lead four Central Washington scorers in double figures as the Wildcats beat Harding University of Arkansas 88-68 on Friday in coach Shawn Nelson’s CWU debut.

Stacy Albrecht had 15 points and 10 rebounds for Central, which is competing in the Sodexo Tip-Off Classic at Seattle Pacific University, while Alex Dunn added 13 points and 10 boards.

CWU led 48-21 at halftime and shot 52 percent from the field to Harding’s 34 percent. The Wildcats also outrebounded the Lady Bisons 44-32.

Central concludes tournament play at 1 p.m. today against Cal State East Bay before making its home debut Monday opposite Evergreen State.

CENTRAL WASHINGTON — VanDyke 3-10 0-0 8, Moser 0-1 6-6 6, Stacy Albrecht 6-8 3-4 15, Alex Dunn 5-11 2-2 13, Sophie Russell 7-13 2-2 18, Rethwill 0-1 2-2 2, Jacobson 3-3 0-0 9, Burke 0-2 0-0 0, Gordon 0-2 0-0 0, Courtney Johnson 5-6 4-4 15, Fettig 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 30-58 19-20 88.

HARDING — Sierra Rollins 4-16 7-10 15, Celsor 2-6 0-0 5, Arielle Saunders 4-10 2-2 12, Shana Holmes 7-13 2-2 17, Haney 2-7 0-0 6, Lewis 0-0 0-0 0, McEnamy 1-1 2-3 4, Isaac-Boyle 1-3 0-0 2, Preaus 0-2 1-2 1, Bartee 2-10 0-0 6. Totals 23-68 14-19 68.

Halftime — CWU 48, HU 21. 3-point goals — CWU 9-20 (VanDyke 2-6, Dunn 1-3, Russell 2-5, Rethwill 0-1, Jacobson 3-3, Burke 0-1, Johnson 1-1); HU 8-24 (Celsor 1-3, Saunders 2-2, Holmes 1-2, Haney 2-6, Isaac-Boyce 0-1, Preaus 0-2, Bartee 2-8). Fouled out — None. Rebounds — CWU 44 (Albrecht 10, Dunn 10); HU 32 (Rollins 9, Saunders 8). Assists — CWU 18 (Dunn 6); HU 15 (Holmes 3). Turnovers — CWU 15, HU 10. Total fouls — CWU 17, HU 16.