Mount Shasta and Dunsmuir High schools faced each other in an inter-county preseason game on Friday. Mount Shasta won it in straight games, 25-17,  25-22 and 25-15.   
Dunsmuir head coach Lisa Kirch knew that its was going to be a tough match. 
“Greta Jones always puts together a tough team,” Kirch said of her opponent. 
In their first game of the season, mistakes and miscommunications hurt the Tigers. 
“That’s what preseason games are for, to get all the kinks out of your game for league,” Kirch said.
In all three matches, Dunsmuir found a way to claw back from huge deficits or jump out to an early lead. In game two, they were up early, 7-2. In game three they erased eight points to take he lead 14-13.
On several occasions, multiple players would go after the same serve, leading to the ball falling to the floor. Many times the Bears would either tip or spike a ball and the Tigers would watch as it hit the ground between them.
Jones is still looking for her starting line-up. She said she will take all preseason if needed. She’s having trouble finding her back line. Her front is looking to be Kendra Woodglass, Arianna Kosel and Michels. 
In past seasons, Jones has been known for her frequency of rotations. This was not the case during Friday’s game. She kept a moderate rotation looking for her starters. 
Mount Shasta had simple mistakes and hard hitting that allowed their opponents back into the game. According to Jones, hitting the ball harder was a new strategy that she and her players are trying out this season.
“I want them to hit hard,” Jones said. “If it costs us too  many point then we will make adjustments.”
A highlight of the game was the serving by both teams.  There were a total of 24 aces.  For Dunsmuir, Jennifer Hope had four and Jamie Kirch, Rose Spagnolo and Heather Coe each had three aces. 
Jeana Michels was the top server with three for the Bears. Jones said she will be the Bears’ top and first server this season.  She has been working on her placement and accuracy since last season.    
There were also quite a few kills for each side. Hope had four kills, Coe had three and Katie McIntyre and Sadie Machammer each had one.
Amanda Amesbury was the top hitter for Mount Shasta with three kills. Taylor Hansen and  and Woodglass each had two. 
During game three, Annie Van Ert went down for a save and fell hard to the floor. She had to be carried off the floor holding her leg up. Before leaving she did have three aces.
Mount Shasta also played Hamilton City on Thursday.     The junior varsity lost 2-1 with the scores 17-25, 25-20  and 12-15. The varsity lost in straight games with scores of 25-11, 25-23 and 25-9.
In game one, according to Jones, Taylor Hansen did a great job serving setting and in the front row.
In game two Michels was the key player, serving for seven points, including five in a row to keep the Bears close.
The Bears were dominated by Hamilton City’s serving.  Hard serving and placement kept Mount Shasta from getting anything going.
Mount Shasta and Weed both will be playing at the Yreka Tournament this weekend, Sept. 5-6.  Dunsmuir played Weed on Tuesday and plays Providence Christian in Dunsmuir on Sept. 11.