By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

McPherson standing out at WWU

Opposite-side hitter Jennica McPherson (Sr., Seattle/Kennedy) had match highs of 14 digs and three service aces along with seven kills and a .429 hitting percentage as nationally ranked Western Washington University swept Dixie State University, 25-19, 25-14, 25-22, in its opening match at the Great Northwest Athletic Conference/Pacific West Conference Crossover Tournament which began Thursday, Sept. 10, at Nicholson Pavilion on the campus of host Central Washington University.

“Jennica (McPherson) had an all-around great match for us,” said WWU head coach Diane Flick (16th year, 320-87). “Whether it was in the back row, the front row, hitting at the net or blocking at the net, she steadied us with her consistency.”

McPherson followed up with eight kills, 19 digs and two aces in a 25-16, 16-25, 25-18, 25-16 win over Fresno Pacific.

"Jennica (McPherson) did a good job when our offense sputtered and then she helped make their offense sputter by digging balls … Again we served tough, so we continue to put on pressure from the service line,” Flick said.

McPherson contributed six aces, 15 digs, three blocks and eight kills in a 25-13, 25-20, 24-26, 25-11 victory over Brigham Young Hawaii on Friday, Sept. 11, also at CWU.

WWU wrapped up the tournament Saturday with a 25-21, 27-25, 25-15 win over Point Loma Nazarene University with McPherson having four kills, six digs and three aces.

Ishikawa returns for Pirates

Federal Way graduate Travis Ishikawa has come off the disabled list for the Pittsburgh Pirates and upped his average to .232 (13-for-56) with five runs, eight RBI, three doubles and one home run.

Conger hitting for power

Federal Way native Hank Conger has good power numbers as a catcher for the Houston Astros even though he is only hitting .217 (40-for-184). Conger has nine doubles and 11 home runs in 66 games played.

Conger also has 23 runs scored and 32 RBI.

Brett batting .247 for Bulls

Highline graduate Ryan Brett is batting .247 (81-for-328) for the Durham Bulls of the Tampa Bay Rays organization. He has 48 runs, 30 RBI, 18 doubles, one triple and five home runs in 84 games played.

Burg finishes with .271 average

Des Moines native Alex Burg finished with a .271 batting average (49-for-181) for the Frisco Roughriders of the Texas Rangers organization.

The catcher played in 50 games, racking up 26 runs, 22 RBI, 11 doubles and seven home runs.

McClatcher scores touchdown

Federal Way graduate Chico McClatcher scored a touchdown for the University of Washington Huskies in their victory over Sacramento State Saturday.