Volleyballers 'bash' it out in Orland

The sunshine made it warm, and the winds made it tricky for the 17 teams that battled it out in Orland during the 5th annual Volleyball Grass Bash on Saturday.

The 3-on-3 volleyball tournament was held on the turf of the Orland High football field, with proceeds going to help the Trojans' volleyball program.

"We had 17 teams, which is up from 15 last year," said Miranda Coughlin, the school's varsity volleyball coach and the tournament organizer. "It's grown a little bit each year, and it's picked up in the last couple years."

According to Coughlin, proceeds from past tournaments were used to purchase equipment for the program, but this year's funds were going to be put toward new varsity and junior-varsity uniforms.

As for the play on the grass, the championship was won by the team of Chris Moreci, Joey Shockley and Brooke Bekendam, who downed the squad made up of Wendy Bentley, Traci Frazier, Dory Dyer and Deanna Holer in the championship.

"It's May," smiled Coughlin about the windy playing conditions, "you're either fighting wind or rain, but it's not sprinklers like it was last year. The teams adjusted, there were lots of smiles and we made it work."

CONTACT Craig Purcell at 824-1036 or cpurcell@tcnpress.com.