Freshman Devan Utt sends the ball back over the net during Tonasket’s game against Brewster on Tuesday, Sept. 15. The Varsity squad lost to Brewster in three matches of 25-13, 25-9 and 25-21. Photo by Terry Mills

COULEE DAM – The Tigers volleyball finished their week off with a loss to Lake Roosevelt on the road on Thursday, Sept. 17.

The away loss came two days after the Tigers lost to Brewster at home on Tuesday, Sept. 15.

Tonasket varsity lost to Brewster in three matches of 25-13, 25-9 and 25-21. Jayden Hawkins served ten of ten and had two kills, Jessica Rhoads served seven of seven with two kills, Jessica Maier served six of six serves with three aces and April Webber had two kills.

“The team will continue to work hard to improve,” Nellie Kirk, head coach, said. “They see their mistakes and are practicing to get better. We did play better the third set. Jessica Maier and Jayden Hawkins served some key points to bring us close to Brewster. We had a chance to win that set, it just didn’t happen.”

Webber, a senior, said she thought the Brewster game was horrible.

“We didn’t do well passing, talking to each other or working in our teamwork,” she said. “I think we went down from our game against Cascade. With Falisha gone, it’s hard.”

Senior Falisha Laurie dislocated her knee during practice last Monday and it is currently unclear how long she will remain out of the game.

Although there was improvement in Tonasket’s performance against Lake Roosevelt, the Tigers still could not come out with a win. They won their third set against Lake Roosevelt 25-22, but lost the other three 25-22, 25-23 and 26-24. Hawkins served 20 of 21 and had eight kills, Rhoads served 15 of 16 serves with four kills, Webber served 12 of 12 serves with eight kills and Taylor Ayers served 11 of 12 serves.

“As you can see by the scores, it was a very close and competitive match,” Kirk said. “It was great to see Tonasket play together and work as a team. They moved on the court and had fewer mistakes. The two teams were really evenly matched and it was fun to watch the battle.”

As of press time, the Tigers (0-3 in league) had not yet played Chelan at home on Tuesday, Sept. 22. Their next game is Thursday, Sept. 24 in Okanogan at 7 p.m. They will also have a home match against Omak on Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 7 p.m.