Blue Mountain Conference volleyball race heats up

BOBCATS BOUNCE BACK: Senior Jessy Reynolds and the Union volleyball team will look to climb the conference standings in 2009. Observe file photo

The Mustangs and Tiger Scots finished first and second in the conference in 2008, and both teams made solid runs in the 2A state tournament.

The rest of the conference was more muddled, with Union coming in third place with a record of 14-9.

For Elgin, it was the first time in 24 years that they made the state tournament. This year the Huskies return a core of players that could make a deeper run at state.

Elgin has three All-League players coming back — Tara Ludwig, Beija Robbins and Karly Knapp.

Head coach Twila Ivins will rely on two juniors and three sophomores to fill other gaps but is confident in her team.

“I have a very versatile lineup this season,” Ivins said. “Depending on the opponent, I can throw different lineups out there and have success.”

Enterprise finished in the middle of the conference in 2008, with Pilot Rock, Stanfield and Irrigon rounding out the bottom of the conference.

For the Outlaws, head coach Amy Stangel is searching for the right combination of players to put on the court.

Enterprise only has three seniors returning this season in outside hitter Summer DeSpain, middle blocker Sarah Butterfield and utility player Joscelyn Stangel.

All three players saw limited playing time last season.

“This team is a bit inexperienced in terms of actual playing time,” Stangel said. “But I think we really have a lot of talent on the team this season.”

The Outlaws had a solid regular season but faded toward the end of the year, placing fifth at the district tournament.

Weston-McEwen is loaded once again this year, and that fact was on display at the Pendleton Invitational Sept. 5.

The Tiger Scots claimed the top spot in the championship bracket before falling to Hermiston in the first round championship game.

Elgin was the other 2A team that participated in the eight-team tournament, but the Huskies lost to the Dalles-Wahtonka in the consolation round.

The tournament also had four 5A teams involved, with the host team Pendleton, Hermiston, Burns and the Dalles-Wahtonka. La Grande and Baker were the 3A schools that competed.

Overall, it is shaping out to be a wild season for Blue Mountain volleyball. Despite the league’s top two teams reloading again this year, the conference looks to be very competitive all season long.