CORVALLIS – The Burns Hilanders volleyball squad capped off a stellar season with a 3A state title after downing Sutherlin, 3 to 1 on Saturday in Corvallis in the final game of the 3A state volleyball tournament.
The Hilanders started the match falling in the first set 17-25. Falling behind early, 6-12, Burns fought back to only one point back at 11-12 only to see the Bulldogs run off four straight points. From there, Sutherlin cruised to the first set win.
The second set saw the Hilanders catch fire early, leading 9-2 early on. Burns never looked back, leading the whole set and tied up the match with a 25-16 win.
A quick start by the Hilanders in the third set pushed Burns ahead 9-4. Sutherlin was never able to recover from the start with Burns winning 25-14.
The Hilanders scored the initial ten points in the fourth and final set. The deficit proved to be too much for the Bulldogs as Burns celebrated a 25-9 state title victory.
Kaitlyn Wright led the offensive attack for Burns with 17 kills. Mackenzie King added 15 kills and Akylah Kaino put down 11 kills. Ashley Wright added 34 assists.
Macy Temple ended the match with 16 digs to lead the Hilanders. Wright ended with 12 digs and King added 11 digs.
For her efforts, Wright was named Player of the Game.
The Hilanders end the season with a 29-3 overall record and a perfect 10-0 league record to go with a state trophy.
Although Paula Toney would never discuss looking ahead so far, this is a team we may see in next season’s finals. Burns sees only Wright and Kaya Dobson depart due to graduation.
Sutherlin (21-6) (Kills-aces-blocks) – Makayla Murphy 16-2-1; Mallory Turner 8-1-1; Kaybie Rutledge 7-1-1; Josie Vermilion 3-1-0; Sierra Burdett 3-0-0; Kendra Parsons 1-0-0; Tianna Murphy 0-2-0; Totals 38-7-2.0. (Assists) – Tianna Murphy 31. (Dig leaders) – Kaybie Rutledge 9; Tianna Murphy 9; Haley Smoldt 9; Makayla Murphy 8.
Burns (29-3) (Kills-aces-blocks) – Kaitlyn Wright 17-1-1; Mackenzie King 15-7-0; Akylah Kaino 11-0-4; Caitlyn Horrell 6-0-1; Ashley Wright 2-2-2; Klaire Theall 0-0-2; Lacie Tiller 0-2-0; Macy Temple 0-3-0; Totals 51-15-5.0. (Assists) – Ashley Wright 34. (Dig leaders) – Macy Temple 16; Kaitlyn Wright 12; Mackenzie King 11; Kaya Dobson 8.
