ATHENA — The Imbler volleyball team opened the season with a win over Dufur followed by a loss to host Weston-McEwen on Thursday, Aug. 24, in Athena.

Facing Dufur, the Panthers showed first-game match jitters, falling 25-23 in the opener. The second set went the way of Imbler, 25-18, and the Panthers overwhelmed the Rangers in the third set with a convincing 25-12 victory. The match was completed in the fourth set with Imbler winning 25-19.

Facing 2A Weston-McEwen, Imbler fell in the first set 25-15. Keeping the match close, the Panthers saw the TigerScots win both the second and third sets with identical scores of 25-21.

The Imbler team will be up early on Aug. 26 with a trip to La Grande to take part in the Hannah Cashell Tournament.