Shorthanded Papermakers deliver

When illnesses knocked two Papermakers out of the rotation, Camas got creative on the fly and weathered the Skyview Storm.

Christina Elliott stepped out of her comfort zone as a setter and smashed a few volleyballs at the net for points. She also delivered 30 assists, 15 service points, 13 digs and 4 aces to lead the Papermakers to a 25-19, 24-26, 25-19, 25-11 victory.

“It always feels nice to hit once in a while and shake things up,” Elliott said. “We all had to play in different positions. It was rough at times, but we figured it out. We were working everybody instead of just one person. It builds trust in the team when you can count on every single person on the court.”

Senior Abby Young anchored the attack with 24 digs. Head coach Julie Nidick said Young was flying all over the place.

“She got some balls up that no other human being could get to, because she’s not human,” Nidick said.

Seniors Sophi Jacobson and Carly Banks dominated at the net. Jacobson racked up 17 kills and 3 blocks, and Banks fired 13 kills. Juniors Anna Roche, Nicole Loewen, Molly McPhun and senior Taylor Jones also stepped up. Roche earned 7 kills and 4 blocks, and Loewen added 13 digs.

“We really pulled through,” Jacobson said. “Some new players got the spotlight, and they deserved that.”

Camas grabbed the advantage in the first game on a big kill by Jacobson, and added to it after back-to-back aces by Young. Banks jumped off the bench and started hammering the volleyball. Jacobson and Roche also earned blocks at the net to help the Papermakers secure the first set 25-19.

Camas opened up the second game on a 7-0 scoring drive, but Skyview fought back and took a 14-13 lead. Big hits and blocks by Banks, Elliott and Roche helped the Papermakers build a 24-16 advantage, but then it evaporated. Skyview scored 10 points in a row to win the second set 26-24.

“We kind of lost our mental focus. We would mess up and keep letting it get to us,” Jacobson said. “We just had to focus on the next set or point, and not panic.”

Camas responded with a 7-1 start in the third set, and went on to win the next two games 25-19 and 25-11. Jacobson, Banks and Jones kept hitting the ball hard, and Roche was a wall at the net. McPhun came through with a few points for the Papermakers in the final set.

“We were really scrappy and we never let the ball drop,” Jacobson said. “It was just a fun night in general. So many girls were leading the team in more ways than just cheering.”

Camas swept Mountain View 25-15, 25-15, 25-17 Thursday. Lauren Harris returned to the lineup, and had 14 digs and 11 kills. Jacobson combined 19 service points with 4 kills and 3 aces. Elliott earned 32 assists and 10 digs. Young notched 13 digs, Banks added 10 kills, and Roche chipped in with 4 blocks and 3 kills.

Nidick said the Papermakers will be tested again by Battle Ground tonight. Both teams are undefeated in league. The match starts at 7 p.m., at Camas High School.

“This is where you win as a team. You can’t rely on one person to carry the load. Everyone needs to do their job and play their role,” Nidick said. “There has to be some trust going on inside that 30-by-30 square. It just comes down to communication, trust and teamwork.”