2015 Ashland High School volleyball seniors Liv Rooney, Ellie Case, and Payton Onesti

@VolleyballGrizz

Yesterday’s results were the best for the Grizzlies since the 2009 team took 3rd in Oregon. Ashland was the victim of the toughest matchup schedule of any team at the tournament. OSAA doesn’t adjust the brackets round by round, even after the first round (in which almost an entire week passes), so that the lowest seeded team plays the top seed, etc. Therefore, Ashland had to face the #2 seed and the #1 seed in their only two losses of the tournament. On the other hand, La Salle Prep (who won the same number of matches as Ashland during the year), came in second in the tournament by beating the #13 and #9 seeded teams before losing to #3-seeded Summit in the finals.

I know traditions are hard to break, but why not have each of the top teams play each of the other top teams over the two days? Seems much more fair to determine the final placements than the current system. All the teams are there sitting around waiting to play anyway.

Posted on November 8th, 2015 under only in ashland. Tags: AF-S Nikkor 20mm f/1.8G ED lens, ashland high school, ellie, Nikon D750, volleyball. Comments Off on Ashland High School volleyball takes 6th in state

Ellie Case with one of her 19 kills

@VolleyballGrizz

From the Medford Mail Tribune:
ASHLAND 3, SANDY 1: At Ashland, Ellie Case racked up 19 kills and five aces for Ashland, which dropped the opening set but rebounded for a 23-25, 25-19, 25-14, 25-15 victory in the Class 5A state playoff home game.

Karlie Richardson accumulated 35 assists, five kills and four aces and Myla Norvell had 36 digs, five aces and three kills for the Grizzlies, who got 11 kills and three aces from Olivia Rooney.

Posted on November 1st, 2015 under only in ashland, people. Tags: ashland high school, ellie, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II, Nikon D750, sports photography, volleyball. Comments Off on Ashland advances

2015 Ashland High School varsity volleyball team

@VolleyballGrizz

Tonight is the final regular season game for the Grizzlies at Churchill High School in Eugene. Ashland enters the game tied for the most wins in the state among the 33 5A teams. As the other two teams with 21 wins have already finished their seasons, a win tonight means Ashland will be the only 5A team in Oregon with 22 wins heading into the postseason. A win should also lock up a #6 ranking.

Ashland will likely be hosting the #11 seed on Halloween. No word yet on time. The opponent will be determined after the play-in games on October 27 which Ashland won’t have to participate in this year.

Posted on October 23rd, 2015 under only in ashland, people. Tags: ashland high school, ellie, sports photography, volleyball. Comments Off on AHS volleyball finishes regular season

Karlie Richardson

@VolleyballGrizz @paytonesti @K_6sunshine @rEdCaouchE

Tonight is the final, regular season home game for the 18-5 Ashland High School volleyball team. Hence, it is also senior night so today’s photos feature the team’s seniors. Game time is 6:45 at the AHS gym. Since Ashland is currently ranked #6 in the state, they will likely have a home playoff game as well (on Halloween).

Olivia Rooney

Payton Onesti

Ellie Case

Posted on October 15th, 2015 under only in ashland, people. Tags: ashland high school, ellie, sports photography, volleyball. Comments Off on Senior Night

Ashland High School volleyball victory over Crater (September 2015)

@VolleyballGrizz

Today’s photo shows how things ended up when Ashland traveled to Crater last month. Crater will look for revenge in Ashland tonight beginning at 6:45.

Posted on October 6th, 2015 under only in ashland, people. Tags: ashland high school, ellie, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II, Nikon D750, sports photography, volleyball. Comments Off on Crater @ Ashland volleyball tonight

@VolleyballGrizz

After 13 games on the road, the Ashland High School Grizzlies play their first home match tonight at 6:45 against Eagle Point.

Posted on September 15th, 2015 under only in ashland, people. Tags: ashland high school, ellie, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II, Nikon D750, sports photography, volleyball. Comments Off on Volleyball in Ashland tonight

Ashland High School volleyball celebrates a service ace against Crater

@VolleyballGrizz

The OSAA rankings don’t mean much yet (anything really at this point), but in late October they are very meaningful. Last year several of Ashland’s victories in tournaments weren’t included in the calculation of the OSAA rankings (although all of the losses were). This resulted in Ashland having a lower ranking and travelling over five hours to play on the home court of the eventual state champion instead of having a home game in the playoffs.

Currently, Ashland is ranked #5 in the young season and Marist is ranked #1. The goal for a home playoff game is to be ranked #8 or better come October 24.

Tonight’s game is at Marist Catholic High School in Eugene. The winner will take over first place in the 7-team Midwestern League.

Posted on September 11th, 2015 under people. Tags: ashland high school, ellie, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II, Nikon D750, sports photography, volleyball. Comments Off on #5 AHS vs #1 Marist tonight

Ellie Case (and Oliva Rooney in the background) at the Seaside Beach Volleyball tournament earlier this year

@VolleyballGrizz

From Friday’s paper:

ASHLAND 3, GRANTS PASS 0: At Grants Pass, senior middle hitter Ellie Case posted 12 kills, four blocks and a pair of aces as Ashland sailed to a nonconference win, 25-12, 25-12, 25-18.

Senior setter Karlie Richardson tallied 25 assists, five kills and three aces for the Grizzlies (5-2) while senior outside hitter Olivia Rooney went for nine kills and five aces.

Myla Norvell, a junior libero, added 18 digs and three aces for the Grizzlies.

Ashland High School, a 5A school, has defeated both of its Southern Oregon 6A opponents so far. Tonight they play at Crater at 6:45.

Posted on September 8th, 2015 under people. Tags: ashland high school, ellie, Nikon 24-120mm f/4G ED AF-S VR, Nikon D750, sports photography, volleyball. Comments Off on Ashland @ Crater volleyball tonight

Rogue River before Horseshoe Bend

I have never come back from a vacation with so many bumps, bites, bruises, and burns, but the memories are fantastic. I’ll be posting more photos from our four days on the Rogue River here and here.

Posted on August 1st, 2015 under nature, outside of ashland. Tags: ellie, Nikon 24-120mm f/4G ED AF-S VR, Nikon D750, rogue river, ryan. Comments Off on The Wild & Scenic Rogue River