Powder Valley’s Jacey Anderson sends the ball over the net versus the defense of Joseph’s Marley Hayes. The Badgers defeated the Eagles in four sets on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, to win the Old Oregon League tournament title.

BAKER – The Powder Valley volleyball team ended season play at the top of the standings and on Saturday, Oct. 21, the Badgers proved those numbers were correct as the team won the 1A Old Oregon League tournament on the floor of Baker High School.

The Badgers had to wait for some time after picking up a bye in the first round. Powder Valley spent the time off watching Imbler take care of Echo, 25-15, 25-15, 25-22.

The other side of the bracket found Joseph opening their tournament with a 3-0 victory over Cove, 25-18, 25-18, 25-17. The Eagles then won their second match of the day, beating Union 3-1 in the semifinals, 25-13, 18-25, 25-18, 25-19.

Powder Valley finally hit the court versus Imbler, needing only three sets to down the Panthers, 25-13, 25-15, 25-18, moving the Badgers into the championship match versus Joseph.

The battle for third place and a coveted first round home match in the upcoming state tournament went the way of Imbler as the Panthers needed only three sets to beat Union, 25-18, 25-19, 25-17.

The battle for the title was not a sweep for Powder Valley as Joseph made the match interesting. After the Badgers won the first set 25-17, the second set was forced into extra points with Joseph taking the 27-25 win to even up the match. The third set went the way of Powder Valley in in a close 25-22 win and the Badgers took the Old Oregon League title after an even closer win in the fourth set by a score of 25-23.

Powder Valley, Joseph, Imbler and Union all qualify for the upcoming state 1A tournament. Powder Valley enters the tournament as the second seed in the state and will host Triangle Lake, the 31st seed. Joseph, the fifth seed for the state, also will host and welcomes 28th seed Southwest Christian.

As the 15th seed, Imbler also will play on the home court, facing Mrytle Point, the 18th seed. Union will be the lone team on the road as the 22nd seeded Bobcats will travel to Ione/Arlington to take on the 11th seeded Cardinals.

The La Grande Observer will provide updates when dates and times are finalized.