TIGER HIGH-FIVE: The La Grande volleyball team meets at center court to celebrate a point against Weston-McEwen. The Observer/Casey Kellas

La Grande got down early in the first game and never really were able to make a run as the Tiger Scots ran away with it, winning by nine.

“I think the girls were a little nervous tonight playing at home for the first time,” head coach Melinda Becker said.

SHAKE AND MOVE: LHS and Payette had many battles at midfield in the Pirates’ 5-2 win Tuesday in La Grande. The Observer/Casey Kellas

Despite the home crowd support and sunny skies, the Tigers couldn’t keep up with the offensive attack of the Pirates in a 5-2 loss.

Payette controlled the ball for most of the first half and had a decisive edge in shots on goal. Because of that ball control, the Pirates were able to strike early with two goals just minutes into the game.

HITTING THE NETS: The Elgin volleyball team has gotten off to a great start to the 2009 season. - Observer file photo

Union started its season out with a three-game sweep against Wallowa over the weekend. The Bobcats won 25-22, 25-22 and 25-16.

Brenda Miller finished the match with a team-high 12 kills, while Jesse Reynolds came in with nine kills.

Enterprise welcomed back Chuck Corak with a 25-6 win over Dayton, Wash., to start the season Thursday night.

Corak, in his second stint with Enterprise after retiring 10 years ago, was talked into coming back to coach until a replacement is found, most likely one of his assistants.

Hermiston —Union placed fifth out of nine teams at the Hermiston Invitational Saturday.

“We were very happy to get fifth since we were the smallest school in the varsity division,” head coach Steve Sheehy said. "We were beaten by Boise, Richland (Wash.), Hermiston and The Dalles.  Against that type of competition, we’ll take what we can get.”

DIG MACHINE: EOU’s Kaitlyn Duncan helped fuel a Cascade Collegiate Conference split this weekend. She finished with 26 digs on the weekend. The Observer/PAUL HARDER

Unfortunately, unforced errors to No. 23 Southern Oregon kept that from happening Friday.

“You can’t give points to a team like Southern,” EOU head coach Kaki Morehead said. “They’ll just take the points and run away with the game.

ON THE ROAD: The La Grande volleyball team played at total of six teams in a span of five days last week. The Tigers host Weston-McEwen Tuesday night in their first home game of the season. Observer file photo

LHS started out the busy week with a visit to Hermiston Tuesday. The Tigers never seemed to get in any sort of rhythm and lost to the Bulldogs 25-18, 25-22 and 25-16.

Mariah Sain led La Grande with eight kills, while Cheyenne May had three kills. Libero Mackenzie Trotter had 27 digs for the match.

SCRAMBLE: La Grande quarterback Carson Miller tries to escape the pass rush of Umatilla defenders in the Tigers’ 34-22 loss Friday night at Community Stadium. Casey Kellas/The Observer

The Tigers got outscored 22-0 in the first two quarters and committed a number of penalties and turnovers in a 34-22 loss to the Vikings.

Umatilla set the tone of the game right out of the gates, returning the opening kick off all the way back to the Tigers’ 25-yard line. They followed that with a 21-yard touchdown pass for the first score of the game.

NEW ADDITION: EOU sophomore Kevin Sampson will look to continue his success on the ground in Dillon, Mont., when the Mountaineers clash with Montana-Western Saturday. - The Observer/CHRIS BAXTER

Nearly three years to be exact. EOU defeated Rocky Mountain College 42-35 Oct. 28, 2006.

Mountaineers head coach Tim Camp isn’t worried, though.

“It’s tough to win road games in this conference,” Camp said. “Shoot, it’s tough to win road games in general. We don’t make excuses. The people are here to get it done.”

PLAYMAKERS: Umatilla brings a duo of running backs to Community Stadium Friday night against LHS. - Observer file photo

Umatilla (1-0) defeated Dayton 32-0 last week in a game that showcased their talented running game.

Jaime Bruce carried the ball 12 times for 157 yards and two touchdowns against the Bulldogs, while teammate Austin Bieren ran 13 times for 112 yards and a score in the lopsided victory.