WALLOWA — Imbler opened the 1A Old Oregon League season with a 3-0 victory over the host Wallowa Cougars on Thursday, Sept. 7.

The Cougars had the opportunity to set the tone in the first set, pushing the game into extra points. The Panthers pulled out the 26-24 win and pulled out to a 2-0 lead in the match, winning the second set 25-20.

Imbler put away the match in the third set, taking a 25-16 victory.

“This match was a great start to our league season,” Imbler head coach Jennifer Teeter said. “We had strong serving overall as a team and we improved with each set throughout the match.”

Jayda Cant led the Panthers from the middle with eight kills and three blocks.

“We just need to clean up the mental part of our game and fix the little controllables,” Wallowa head coach Janea Young said.

Even in the loss, Young said team captains Zoe Hermans and Sophie Mueller showed a strong mental game in keeping the squad focused.

“Cecilia April was aggressive on defense tonight for us,” she said.

Wallowa, like many teams, is battling an early season cold/flu problem going around.

“We have wipes all over the place and are trying to keep the girls from drinking from each other’s water bottles,” Young said.

Wallowa (5-3 overall, 0-1 1A Old Oregon League) was boarding the bus on Sept. 8 with a game scheduled in Fossil again Spray/Mitchell/Wheeler.

Imbler (5-3 overall, 1-0 1A Old Oregon League) takes to the road on Sept. 9 to take part in the St. Paul Invitational.