Ephrata hosts volleyball tournament
HERALD SPORTS STAFF | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 11 months AGO
Ephrata junior Alixandria Helaas sets the ball over the net during Saturday’s Ephrata Varsity Volleyball Tournament.
R. HANS MILLER/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
Wahluke senior Jahaza Perez (4) and sophomore Kathy Veloz (9) stand on the back line.
Ephrata junior Audreyah Gray receives a serve on Saturday.
Almira/Coulee-Hartline sophomore Naomi Molitor sets the ball next to the net.
The Ephrata Varsity Volleyball Tournament brought in 13 teams to the courts at Ephrata High School on Saturday.
Ephrata senior Natania Vela serves the ball at the Ephrata Varsity Volleyball Tournament on Saturday.
EPHRATA — The Tigers hosted 13 teams at Saturday’s Varsity Volleyball Tournament, bringing in schools ranging from 1B to 4A classifications. Local squads from Almira/Coulee-Hartline, Ephrata, Moses Lake and Wahluke were represented at the tournament.
ACH Stat Leaders and Scores
Vs Wahluke (2-0 win; 25-11, 25-23)
Aces: Naomi Molitor, five
Assists: Beth Okamoto, 11
Kills: Natalie Evers, nine
Digs: Grace Okamoto, seven
Blocks: Natalie Ever, Kayleigh Elder, Kady Murray, one
Vs Cle-Elum (2-0 win; 25-22, 25-15)
Aces: Naomi Molitor, five
Assists: Beth Okamoto, 13
Kills: Natalie Evers, six
Digs: Beth Okamoto, nine
Blocks: Mariah McWalter, two
Vs East Valley (Yakima) (2-0 win; 25-20, 25-22)
Aces: Natalie Evers, two
Assists: Beth Okamoto, 14
Kills: Natalie Evers, eight
Digs: Grace Okamoto, 10
Blocks: Kady Murray, two
Vs Ephrata (2-0 loss; 25-9, 25-13)
Aces: Naomi Molitor, one
Assists: Beth Okamoto, eight
Kills: Natalie Evers, six
Digs: Beth Okamoto, six
Blocks: Natalie Evers and Mariah McWalter, one each.
ARTICLES BY HERALD SPORTS STAFF
Football set to start with Gridiron Guide
MOSES LAKE — Local football players have started to hit the turf as preseason practices have been running in the late summer. Check out how the players and coaches have been preparing for their seasons with the Gridiron Guide in Friday’s paper.
Wildcats Begin New Era with Championship Expectations
ELLENSBURG — As the Central Washington Wildcats enter fall camp, they also embark on the beginning of a new chapter, according to CWU Athletics. After winning the 2025 GNAC championship and reaching the NCAA West Regional semifinals, the Wildcats enter the 2026 season with a roster loaded with experience, talent and championship aspirations. Lauren Herseth takes over as head coach after serving as the program's associate head coach for the last five seasons, following the departure of Mario Andaya to become CWU's Deputy Director of Athletics. Herseth will be joined by assistant coach Hannah Stires, a former standout Wildcat player who returns to the Wildcats.
Miconi’s Late Strike Lifts Eagles Past Bucknell, 1-0
CHENEY — Eastern Washington earned its second straight win to open the season, defeating Bucknell 1-0 behind a late goal from Mia Miconi and another standout performance in goal from Payton Hyde, according to a statement by EWU Athletics. The Eagles recorded 11 shots in the match, while Bucknell finished with 21. Despite consistent pressure from the Bison, Eastern's defense held strong to secure its second consecutive shutout.