SISTERS, Ore – The Mazama Vikings (5-2) and the Henley Hornets (4-3) competed in a statewide tournament in Sisters over the weekend. The tournament featured 24 teams from all over Oregon, from Burns to Grants Pass and Tillamook to Klamath Falls.
Group play ended similarly for both Basin squads. Mazama won three of six sets in group play, splitting a pair with Banks, sweeping Madras, and dropping two to Sisters. The Hornets earned two splits against La Grande and The Dalles and were dealt a broom by Valley Catholic. These finishes placed Henley and Mazama in the tournament’s Silver Bracket, which also featured Gold and Bronze.
Henley lost in their first match of bracket play in a 2-0 decision against Santiam Christian who is #4 in the 3A OSAA Power Rankings. The Eagles would go on to a runner-up finish in the Silver Bracket.
The Vikings dispatched Junction City 2-0 in the opening round of bracket play before running into 3A’s #1 team Dayton in the second round. Mazama battled hard against the Pirates and claimed the opening game 25-21. Ultimately, Dayton was too much for the Vikings who dropped the next two sets 25-14 and 16-14. Dayton would go on to defeat Amity and Santiam Christian to claim the Silver Bracket.
Cali Blitzer had another outstanding showing for Mazama, leading the team with 32 kills for the tournament. Blitzer also racked up 15 blocks and 22 digs. Sophomore Callie Newsome contributed 23 kills and five aces, but it was senior London O’Brien who was lethal with the serve notching nine aces on 92% serving. She also added 71 assists and 18 digs. Addie Byington and Sydney Baker also boasted serving percentages above 90 and combined for 23 kills.
The season continues on Tuesday night for both teams. Mazama hits the road to Josephine County to take on the North Valley Knights. Henley welcomes Lost River inside the Hornets Nest. Both games begin at 6:00 p.m.