Vikings can clinch league title tonight


The Siuslaw Vikings can wrap up the Far West League volleyball title tonight with a victory over the second-place Douglas Trojans in Winston.

The Vikings retained their hold on first place this past Thursday with a sweep of the Brookings-Harbor Bruins in Brookings.

The Vikings won 25-15, 25-21, 25-18 to improve to 7-1 in league and 10-6 overall.

"We controlled each set and won comfortably, but we didn't play up to our potential," Siuslaw coach Jon Hornung said. "We have some things to work out before next week."

The Vikings have a big final week of league play, including hosting third-place North Bend (5-3) on senior recognition night on Thursday.

"We missed a lot of serves and gave away a lot of easy points," Hornung said. "It didn't hurt us that badly last night because we were able to dominate at the net, but we need to play a lot cleaner against Douglas and North Bend next week."

The Vikings have been operating shorthanded in recent matches, and Thursday were missing regular libero Maci Wells.

"Maci was out again last night with an injury and it was apparent that our communication on serve receive is spotty when she doesn't play," Hornung said.

"Our blocking was strong and they didn't have an answer for our hitters, but we struggled to give our hitters good sets because our passing wasn't great."

Mackenzie York had 11 kills and 4 aces, Brittany Long 7 kills and Elyssa Rose 4 blocks.

"Emma Collins had a couple of big hits late in Set 2 and Set 3 that put to rest any chances of a Brookings comeback," Hornung said.

Douglas kept on the Vikings' heels with a 3-1 victory over South Umpqua in Winston.

North Bend kept its title hopes alive with a 3-2 victory over Marshfield, winning the decisive fifth set 17-15.

Saturday, the Vikings are at the Marshfield Tournament in their last scheduled action before the Oregon School Activities Association playoffs.