WARRENTON AT O.E.S.

Although the Oregon Episcopal School Aardvarks returned almost everybody from a team that finished third in the state tournament, OES was considered to be a 2-player team last year. One of those players, 6-4 middle blocker Alexandra Mason graduated.

If they are a one-player team now, that player is still good enough to carry the Aardvarks a long way.

Libby Morrison covers so much ground on the court that she seems to be playing every position. The Warrenton Warriors had no answer for Morrison and the Aardvarks, who swept the Warriors 25-12, 26-24, 25-17 Tuesday night, handing Warrenton its first Lewis & Clark League loss.

"She is not as good as the girl from Burns was," said Warrenton head coach Jim Hackwith, referring to 3A volleyball and basketball player of the year Jessica Clemens, now wearing a University of Portland uniform in both sports, "but she is one of the smartest players I've seen. She doesn't always hit it hard, but sees the floor well and makes good decisions. OES goes to her for everything they do, but she's still unstoppable because she does everything well.

Morrison, being recruited by a handful of top Division I schools, led the Aardvarks to a game one romp, but Warrenton was competitive over the final two games of the match.

"Game two we were in the lead at the end," said Hackwith. "Lauren Dove got called for a lift when it was 23-22." Instead of Warrenton serving for game point, the disputed call gave OES the ball with a 23-23 tie. A service ace cinched a 26-24 finish to the game for the Aardvarks.


The Warriors played tough all the way through game three before the Aardvarks closed out with five straight points to pull away for a 25-17 result.


Ashley Poole was limited to three kills, but put her passing skills to the test and came up with a perfect score on 27-fo-27 attempts.


"Because of how hard Libby hits, getting digs off the floor and being 100-percent passing shows how good of a player she really is," said Hackwith of his all-league senior outside hitter, who may not be Division I material, but with above average leaping ability, a strong left-handed stroke and a range of skills will certainly be an asset to any smaller college program. Not to mention, Poole has the kind of competitive spirit that relishes an opportunity to face one of the state's top individual talents and teams.


"Ashley was definitely wanting to go another game," said Hackwith. "She does like trying to find different ways of going after those types of people."


Dove led Warrenton with four kills and three blocks. Setter Jordane Marxer also had a perfect passing night and Claire Ogren contributed two blocks to the cause.


The Warriors, now 4-1 in league and 7-2 overall, play Portland Adventist Academy at home on Thursday.