Oakesdale with two decisive victories in district play

OAKESDALE - The Oakesdale Nighthawks are picking up where they left off from last season, starting undefeated after their first three games of the season.

The Nighthawws had two games before a Saturday, Sept. 16, weekend match up against Mary Walker.

The Nighthawks took their first home game in their newly renovated gym and dominated the Tekoa-Rosalia Timberwolves, convincingly winning their first home game of the season on Tuesday, Sept. 12, against Tekoa-Rosalia.

The Nighthawks had their service game down, getting ace after ace against the Timberwolves to defeat them in three-straight sets.

"You know, just trying to get those reps and build up that trust with each other," said Oakesdale head coach McKinzie Turner.

The first set saw Oakesdale jump to a quick 9-0 lead, the first point for the Timberwolves was a hitting error by Oakesdale.

After a few more errors by Oakesdale, they got their act together, and took the first set 25-5.

Payton Davis would have five straight aces herself to end the set.

In the second set, Oakesdale jumped to a 12-2 lead before Tekoa-Rosalia called their timeout. After many more aces, the Nighthawks won the second set 25-4.

In the third set, the Nighthawks would fly to a 22-7 lead before the Timberwolves called their last timeout. The Nighthawks would then have some good rallies with the Timberwolves in the game, but would lose the third set 25-10, giving Oakesdale the victory.

In the game, Davis had 12 aces to lead the way. She also had 11 kills on the day. Setter Samantha Holling had 19 assists in the game. Bradyn Henley would lead the team in blocks with two.

"I think tonight they just showed that they're doing what it takes to trust each other and just playing good defense, they're moving well together," Turner said.

The second game of the week for the Nighthawks was Wednesday, Sept. 13, against the Pomeroy Pirates. The game was played in Pomeroy.

As with most games so far this season, the Nighthawks easily won in three straight sets.

The first set was a 25-9 victory for Oakesdale, the largest margin of victory in the game for the Nighthawks.

The second set saw the Pirates make a small push, but were still no match for Oakesdale, who won 25-11.

The Pirates would score 12 points in the final set, but could not stop Davis and the Nighthawks, who won 25-12.

Davis led the way with six aces, while Brieyn Henley had 16 kills, one block, and seven digs to lead Oakesdale.

Holling would add 29 assists to her season total.

Oakesdale will host the St. John-Endicott-LaCrosse Eagles Thursday, Sept. 21. The game will be in Oakesdale, and is set to start at 6 p.m.