The Quilcene, Chimacum and Port Townsend volleyball teams all started the season with opening-week victories, while some cross-country athletes resorted to swimming on the special lake course. Here's the sports wrap as of Sept. 12:

VOLLEYBALL

QUILCENE

The volleyball season in Quilcene has started with three decisive victories, starting at home Sept. 6 against Forks, 25-8, 25-12, 25-19. Coach Joni Crowell noted a strong performance by frosh Abbygael Weller allowed senior setter Allison Jones to set all her options, giving Emily Hitt and Katie Love the opportunity to swing at the net. Bailey Kieffer also served well and played strong at the net.

STATS: Jones, Serving 11/13, 3 Aces, 26 Assists, 3 Kills; Katie Bailey S 4/5, 2A, 5K, 2 Digs, 1 Block; B. Kieffer S 22/23, 5A, 4K, 2D; Love S 6/7, 2A, 6K, 2D; Hitt S 6/6, A, 10K, D, B; Weller S 4/6, 2A, 3K, 5D.

Quilcene followed with a 25-14, 25-13, 25-16 win over Clallam Bay at home Sept. 8. “We tightened up some of our defense and were able to work everyone into the rotation,” said Crowell. Sophomore Pearl Munn put in a strong showing on the right side with several key saves while covering. “The outside hitters Katie Love and Emily Hitt continue to be a strong force, nailing down the ball, with Love also demonstrating a strong back row attack. Clallam had a strong defense and returned a lot of hits, so some really good rallies stretched out the games.”

STATS: B. Kieffer S 10/10, 4A, 7K; Jones S 6/7, A, 5K, 21 Assists; Bailey S 6/6, A, 2K, 2B; Hitt S 10/11 A, 11K, B, 4D; Love S 12/13, 4A, 9K, B, 5D; Sydney Brown S 1/1, 4D; Weller S 1/2, A, 8D.

League play opened on Sept. 9, with the Lady Rangers dominating Tacoma Baptist at home 25-3, 25-11, 25-11. With the squad missing two starters, Munn and McKenzie Kieffer played well to fill in. “Tonight we had really strong net play, putting down a team total of 9 blocks,” said Crowell. Love staked out an early lead with strong serving, and she and Emily Hitt continued to dominate the outside, with B. Kieffer hitting well on the right side. Crowell mentioned that Jones set strong the entire night, and tipped well at the net for 3 kills.

STATS: Jones S 7/7 3K, 6D, 21 Assists; B. Kieffer, S 12/14, 5A, 5K, B; Hitt , S 5/5, 2A 8K; Love S 25/26, 5A 8K, 2D, B; Brown S 2/4, A 3D; Munn 3D, Assist, 2B; M. Kieffer S 3/4, 2A, 2K, 3D, 5B.

NEXT: To Yakima for Sun Dome Tournament against Class 1B, 2B and 1A competition Friday, Sept.16. Host league matchup with Rainier Christian 6 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 20, host Seattle Lutheran 6 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 22.

PORT TOWNSEND

The Redhawks dropped season opening matches on Sept. 7 at the Sequim Jamboree, losing in 3 sets to both Sequim and Port Angeles.

STATS: Samantha Short, Serve 13/14, 1 Ace; Alana McCleese S 11/13, 3A and 10 Assists; Jenna Carson 1A, 8K; Sira Wines 2A, 2K; Tori Minnihan 2A, 2K; Maria Morrison S 5/6, 2K. Team served 80% (55/68).

PT rallied Sept. 9 to down Vashon Island in 5 sets, 19-25 , 25-21, 25-14, 11-25, 15-10. After losing starting opposite hitter Aba Kithcart to injury on Wednesday, and also losing starting setter Alana McCleese due to a practice injury Thursday, senior and captain Jenna Carson stepped into the role of setter in the 5:1 offense. Coach Cameron Botkin moved Hanalei Schauer to opposite hitter and Minnihan to middle blocker with no practices in those positions/rotations. “We had swing players Izzy Hammett and Taylor Tracer sub in cold off the bench to serve successfully,” said Botkin. “The girls pulled together as a team and fought for each other. The bench and JV players’ support was as loud as the entire Vashon crowd! Our highlight player Samantha Short has ice in her veins with her amazingly consistent serving. All the players matured and showed trust in each other, demonstrating poise under pressure. I am very proud of them.”

STATS: Short S 35/35, A; Wines A, 8K; Maria Morrison 6K; Minnihan 5K; Carson 3K, 17 Assists.

NEXT: Host league opener against Klahowya, 6:15 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 15; at Chimacum 6:15 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 20; at South Whidbey 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 22.

CHIMACUM

The Lady Cowboys lost the season opener 3-0 to Vashon Island on Sept. 6, and bounced back for a 3-1 win over Neah Bay on Sept. 8.

NEXT: Host Forks 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 14; host Port Townsend 6:15 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 20; at Neah Bay 6 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 21; at Klahowya 6:15 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 22.

GIRLS’ SOCCER

CHIMACUM

The Cowboys fell to 2A Sequim 7-0 on Sept. 10. Prior to the game, senior Alice Yaley, senior Sammy Raines, and junior Mariann Eastwood were named captains. “We have a young team,” said coach Kevin Racine, “so it was a great game to gain some experience for our first-year players and to try players in different positions. Sophomore Sam Pina made eight saves in the first half. We are happy to get the season started.”

NEXT: Host Port Townsend 6:45 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 20. At Klahowya 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22.

PORT TOWNSEND

The Lady Redhawks fell to South Whidbey 11-2 on Sept. 10.

NEXT: Host Klahowya in league opener 6:45 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 15; host Coupeville 12:45 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 17; at Chimacum 6:45 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 20.

CROSS COUNTRY

The Port Townsend cross country team competed at the Tahoma Coed Relays at Lake Wilderness State Park in Maple Valley on Sept. 10. Twenty-five of the 31 team members participated and comprised 5 relay teams. “The race is a bit of a crazy one with teams of 5 athletes each running a 3K loop and then handing off to the next runner,” said coach Alice Fraser. “A portion of the course actually goes through a lake, so runners are forced to navigate that as best they can – with some even resorting to swimming. Three of the girls ran faster times than we've ever had female athletes run at this event before (junior Aliyah Parson 14:47, freshman Anika Avelino 15:10, and senior Ari Winter 15:54).”

Top boys finishers were senior Brennan LaBrie (12:49), sophomore Gabe Petrick (12:57), and senior River Huberger-Yearian (12:58). Nathan Cantrell (14:11) led the way for the 10 freshman boys making their varsity debut.

NEXT: Fort Steilacoom Invitational in Lakewood, Saturday, Sept. 17; at Olympic High School 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 21.