Jaelynn Wilcox sends the ball past North Salem’s Jaqueline Brier’s block attempt in the first set of Thursday’s match at McNary High School on Sept. 1. (JOSHUA MANES/Keizertimes) 
Madison Corpe (10) and Emily Blagg (9) of McNary go up to try to block Mahala McCrae’s shot from North Salem on Sept. 1 at McNary High School. (JOSHUA MANES/Keizertimes) 
Avery Buss earns the point for McNary in the second set against North Salem at McNary High School on Sept. 1. (JOSHUA MANES/Keizertimes) 
Emily Blagg serves during the third set against North Salem on Sept. 1 at McNary High School. (JOSHUA MANES/Keizertimes)
McNary volleyball remained undefeated as they opened league play on Thursday against North Salem in the first home game of the season.
The Celtics (3-0) took the Vikings (0-3) down in straight sets, pushing their streak to nine consecutive sets won to open the season.
Aside from dropping the opening point in each, the first two sets went smoothly for McNary, finishing things 25-16 and 25-12 respectively. They forced timeouts from North Salem in each set. First, when up 9-5 in the first set, and then while up 12-3 in the second set.
North Salem refused to go quietly in the third set though, and made McNary work for the victory. North Salem jumped out to a 3-0 lead, and kept things close for the first half of the set.
However, once the Celtics took a 10-9 lead, they didn’t look back. They forced the Vikings to call another time out, this time at 12-9, but the pause didn’t break the Celtics’ momentum. They finished the set 13-5, closing things out 25-14.
Thursday’s victory not only keeps the Celtics undefeated, but gives them that always important first league win to truly get the season started.
“Volleyball is a game of momentum, so coming out and starting strong definitely sets the tone,” head coach Crystal Ayers said. “They’re excited, it’s positive and it always helps to have runs.”
To keep that momentum going, Ayers feels they just need to come in every day and respect each of their opponents.
McNary’s next matchup is a big one early in the season when they travel to South Salem to take on the Saxons. The Saxons (3-0) are the current No. 1 ranked 6A school at the time of this story, while the Celtics sit right below them at No. 2.