Cheney captures second straight title

The Cheney High volleyball team captured its second regular season Great Northern League championship after 3-0 sweeps over East Valley (Oct. 11), Pullman (Oct. 13) and Clarkston (Oct. 15).

Unlike the 2015 season, the Blackhawks (9-1 GNL, 11-1 overall) will not have to share the title with another team. By winning the league, Cheney will host the District 7 tournament, have a bye to the championship round and will play the second-place team, Oct. 29.

Head coach Heather Zorrozua referred to her team's match against the Knights (27-25, 25-19, 25-18) as the "first match where they completely played as a team."

"Everything went pretty well, they were having fun and doing the things we've been working on in practice," Zorrozua said. "Our setter and our hitters are connecting, which is always nice to see. KD Skillingstad is playing phenomenal and Rylie (Pease) stepped up to the plate. We are peaking at the right time."

Pease led the match with 18 kills while Skillingstad had 12. Peyton Stark recorded 38 assists and three aces. Taylor Gould and Ally Jones had 12 digs each and Skillingstad notched one block.

Although Cheney played another strong match against the Greyhounds, (25-18, 25-22, 25-14), Zorrozua admitted she was nervous going into the contest.

"Going down to Pullman is tough, they've got a great supporting atmosphere," Zorrozua said. "But my girls stepped up, competed and played Cheney volleyball. There was only one point during the match where Pullman was ahead and the girls dug deep and came back."

Stark led the match with 27 assists and three aces while Pease recorded 12 kills. Jones had 14 blocks while Gould and Skillingstad notched one block each.

Cheney carried their momentum into the Clarkston match (25-10, 25-15, 25-21). Zorrozua said she put in some players who have not gotten a lot of time on the court this season, mainly Ellie Davis.

"Ellie Davis made some good changes when things were getting chaotic," Zorrozua said. "All in all, the team did a great job beating Clarkston in three (sets)."

Skillingstad led the match with nine kills and three blocks, Stark had 33 assists and Pease recorded three aces. Gould and Jones had 11 digs each.

Cheney played their only match of the week against third-place West Valley (5-5, 5-6), Oct. 18. The Blackhawks and the Eagles are 1-1 against each other this season. West Valley has lost five of their last six matches.

Zorrozua noted her team still has "something to prove to themselves" as they head into the end of the regular season.

"I'd love to see them stay challenged and continue to focus on our goals," Zorrozua said. "One of those is to finish strong at districts."

Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.