It's not often a volleyball coach is pleased when the team is swept by an opponent.

But Kari Blake, the Siuslaw Vikings' first-year coach, was just that after a 3-0 loss Saturday at North Bend (5-0), ranked No. 1-ranked in Class 5A of the Oregon School Activities Association.

"I was very proud of how smart and controlled we played," Blake said. "I was pleased with the number of blocks and touches on the ball we got from our front row to help our back row and our back row did an outstanding job at getting passes to our setters."

North Bend won by scores of 25-16, 25-18, 25-22. The Bulldogs are 15-0 in sets this season, with sweeps of Churchill, Eagle Point, Marshfield and Crater. 

"While this is a loss for us, it was a great opportunity to work on some of the things that we need to tighten up on during the season," Blake said. "I thought the girls made a lot of progress against an all-around fantastic North Bend team."

The loss dropped the Lady Vikings to 1-3 for the season with a tournament set for Saturday at Sisters, the final tune-up for Sky-Em League play.

Siuslaw opens league play Tuesday, Sept. 21, at Marist.

Siuslaw's season and league opener is Thursday, Sept. 23, against Marshfield.

Saturday, freshman middle blocker Rhianna Lane — with 9 kills and 6 blocks — and senior libero Hayden Muller were among Lady Vikings playing well, despite coming up short.

"We were able to run with North Bend nearly the whole match," Blake said. "Hayden Muller had a standout performance in the back row with multiple digs and perfect passes against a team with really strong hitters."

Junior middle blocker Desiree Tulua had 8 kills, junior outside hitter Hailee Outlaw 7 kills and senior middle blocker Alizabeth Norton 5 blocks.

"I was very proud of Rhianna and (sophomore setter) Brynlee Manues who each had a great game and were instrumental in keeping the scores close," Blake said.

The Siuslaw junior varsity also lost in three sets.

"They improved throughout the game and played well as a team," Blake reported. "Mya Smith showed some great hustle as a setter and Jolee Erickson had a strong performance in the back row as libero.  

"Bailey Myrick and Sydney Barnett showed smart net play and Abby Riggs had 5 aces and a block."

SIUSLAW SCHEDULE
Record: 1-3 overall, 0-0 Sky-Em League
Tuesday, Aug. 31 — Siuslaw 3, Phoenix 0, at Sutherlin (25-18, 25-11, 25-16)
Tuesday, Aug. 31 — at Sutherlin 3, Siuslaw 2 (15-25, 14-25, 25-19, 25-11, 15-8)
Wednesday, Sept. 8 — at Pleasant Hill 3, Siuslaw 2 (23-25, 22-25, 25-17, 25-22, 16-14(
Saturday, Sept. 11 — at North Bend 3, Siuslaw 0 (25-16, 25-18, 25-22)
Saturday, Sept. 18 — at Sisters Tournament
Tuesday, Sept. 21 — at Marist, 6:45 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 23 — Marshfield, 6:45 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 28 — at Elmira, 6:45 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 30 — Junction City, 6:45 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 2 — at Junction City tournament
Tuesday, Oct. 5 — Cottage Grove, 6:45 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 7 — Marist, 6:45 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 12 — at Marshfield, 6:45 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 14 — Elmira, 6:45 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 16 — at Marshfield Tournament
Tuesday, Oct. 19 — at Junction City, 6:45 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 21 — at Cottage Grove, 6:45 p.m.
Coach: Kari Blake
Assistant: Chariti Parker

SIUSLAW VARSITY ROSTER
  1 Kristin Wall, setter, sophomore, 4-11
  2 Hayden Muller, libero, senior, 5-3, co-captain
  3 Rhianna Lane, middle blocker, freshman, 6-0
  4 Mylee Blake, outside hitter, freshman, 6-0
  5 Meika Shappell, defensive specialist, sophomore, 5-0
  6 Desiree Tupua, middle blocker, junior, 5-8
  7 Hailee Outlaw, outside hitter, junior, 5-8
  8 Ashley Hennessee, right side, sophomore, 5-7
  9 Brynlee Manues, setter, sophomore, 5-4
10 Zoe Alberty, setter, senior, 5-7, co-captain
11 Alizabeth Norton, middle blocker, senior, 5-9
12 Ava Center, opposite hitter, sophomore, 5-5
13 Cate Waggoner, defensive specialist, sophomore, 5-2
14 Bailey Myrick, right side, junior, 5-7

SIUSLAW JUNIOR VARSITY
  1 Macali Ladę, defensive specialist, freshman
  2 Abigail Riggs, outside hitter, freshman, 5-3
  3 Jolee Erickson, libero, freshman
  4 Sydney Barnett, middle blocker, sophomore
  5 Makayla Bender, defensive specialist, freshman, 5-4
  7 Mesa Earls, outside hitter, freshman, 5-5
  8 Kimberly Martinez-Munoz, outside hitter, freshman, 5-7
11 Megan Alberty, setter, freshman, 5-6
12 Bailey Myrick, middle blocker, junior, 5-7
14 Mya Smith, sophomore, 5-3
15 Malaia Snider, middle blocker, sophomore
16 Brianna Pavesich, middle blocker, sophomore, 5-10
17 Jordyn Breeden, defensive specialist, freshman