Bulldogs to play for title.

Byline: Paula Lincoln The Register-Guard

VOLLEYBALL

For the fifth time it five years, North Bend will face Estacada in the volleyball state championships. And for the second time in two years, it will be for a state championship trophy.

North Bend swept La Salle 25-20, 25-20, 25-19 and Baker 25-19, 25-12, 25-17 Friday to earn its place in the Class 4A title game scheduled for 8:30 p.m. today at Lane Community College.

The Class 3A defending state champion Rangers, who beat the Bulldogs 26-24, 16-25, 15-7 in last year's best two-out-of-three final, likewise swept their opponents La Grande and Henley - 25-21, 25-23, 25-23 and 25-17, 25-16, 25-17, respectively - to advance to their fifth straight championship match.

"They are the bar. They're a quality program and it's an honor to play them. It's going to be a tough match but I think we'll be all right," North Bend coach Les Willett said.

The Far West League champions were led, as always, by senior Kelcy McKenna. The 5-foot-7 outside hitter had 51 kills on the day.

Sky-Em League champion Junction City needs to win two matches today to earn the school's first trophy in 31 years. The Tigers, who lost 25-23, 25-17, 25-16 to Baker, will face La Salle in the fourth-place semifinals at 10 a.m.

Erin Iskra had 12 kills and 11 digs and Traci Garner had 19 assists to lead the Tigers.

Class 3A

After finishing third in last year's Class 3A volleyball state tournament, Burns will square off against Gervais at 6 p.m. in tonight's championship match at Lane Community College.

Burns (29-1) came from behind to beat both Sheridan 22-25, 25-11, 25-13, 25-13 and defending Class 2A champion Oregon Episcopal School 19-25, 25-15, 25-22, 25-18 to advance to tonight's title match.

Gervais (25-1) beat Creswell 25-23, 24-26, 25-8, 25-17 before edging Far West League champion Myrtle Point 25-18, 23-25, 25-22, 25-22.

The Bobcats (20-3), who swept Vale 25-19, 25-20, 25-23 in their first match, will face OES at noon for third place.

Pacific West No. 3 seed Creswell will play Vale in a fourth-place semifinal match at 8 a.m.

Class 5A

PORTLAND - A fifth-game lead slipped away from Thurston in a 22-25, 25-14, 25-18, 20-25, 15-13 first-round loss to Crook County.

Angie Bailey had 22 kills and four blocks to lead Crook County, which trailed 9-4 in the fifth game before running off six straight points with Jessica Lea at the service line.

Thurston faces Summit of Bend today in a fourth-place semifinal game at 8 a.m. The winner will play either Ashland or Sherwood for fourth place at noon.

Class 2A

FOREST GROVE - Weston-McEwen swept North Douglas in the semifinals at Pacific University.

The Tiger Scots defeated the Warriors 25-9, 25-13, 26-24 to move into the state final against Portland Christian. North Douglas will face Corbett in the third-place match at 2:15 p.m. today.

North Douglas rallied from two games down to beat Lakeview 18-25, 16-25, 25-19, 25-18, 15-6 in the first round.

Brooke Toy had 19 kills, 14 assists and 32 digs for the Warriors. Ronica Cole added 23 assists and 10 digs, and Tiffany Merten had 10 kills and 13 digs.

Class 1A

FOREST GROVE - Jordan Valley rallied to win the final two games to defeat Mohawk in the semifinals at Pacific University.

The Mustangs defeated the Indians 25-21, 22-25, 13-25, 25-19, 15-9 to advance to the final against Griswold. Mohawk will play Adrian in the third-place game at noon.

Mohawk opened the day with a 24-26, 25-18, 25-19, 25-20 win over Powder Valley.