Area Sports by Michael Dashiell

North Mason's Bulldogs showed why they're one of the favorites to take the Olympic League crown after ousting Sequim in three sets, 25-20, 25-10 and 25-9 in the Wolves' season-opener.

Bulldog Danielle Cook had 21 kills and 11 blocks as North Mason survived a challenge in the first set and dominated the rest of the match on Sequim's home floor.

"We had one game in us," Sequim coach Jennie Webber said. "Our defense started good (but) we found their blocker."

The Wolves (0-1) battled the visiting Bulldogs in a back-and-forth first set until a small streak helped North Mason take the first set.

In the second, Cook and North Mason's servers began to dominate. Those balls that Sequim could get off the floor found their way into Cook's outstretched arms as she made hitting over the net a tough task. Down 7-4 in the second set, North Mason went on a 21-3 run, and overcame a 7-6 deficit in the third set with a 19-2 streak.

"We're going to work on some back-row attacks," Webber said. "Next time we play them, we'll move some people around. It's good that we get to play these guys now."

Maddy Zbaraschuk led the Wolves with five kills while Kari Hankins had all 16 assists and was 10-of-10 on serves. Ashlee Bourns chipped in with two kills and a team-high six digs. Megan Zumbuhl had four kills and Sequim's lone block.

Sequim doesn't see North Mason until the final match of the season, set for Oct. 30 in Belfair.

The Wolves were scheduled to take on Central Kitsap in Silverdale Sept. 16 - results were unavailable at press time. Sequim travels to Klahowya Sept. 18 and Kingston Sept. 23 before the team's next home date, a Sept. 25 match-up with Port Townsend's Redskins.