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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Hailey Knief, Ripon water polo
Bulletin sports fall 2021
Hailey Knief

Knief had a productive week for the Indians, who notched a big win over Oakdale in a first-place Valley Oak League battle Oct. 12 before earning a division title in the prestigious Western States tournament on Saturday.

Ripon defeated Oakdale 14-7 at Ervin Zador Aquatic Center. Knief contributed four goals and an assist, as the Indians moved to 3-0 in league and are positioned to successfully defend their 2019 title.

In the two-day Western States, Ripon bounced back after a 13-1 loss to Buchanan out of Clovis in the opener. The Indians then ran the table for the blue-division crown, with Knief accounting for nearly half of their goals over the next three contests.

The junior scored twice in the 8-3 win over Lincoln, then had three goals, two steals and an assist to lift Ripon past Gregori, 6-3. In the finale, she fired five goals and had two steals to lead a 7-4 victory over Morro Bay, avenging an 11-7 loss from a month ago.