Bobcats fall in conference opener

BLOCK PARTY: Union’s Sarah Longwell (6) and Brenna Miller (9) go up for a block against Heppner’s Sherilyn Peck Thursday night. - The Observer/PAUL HARDER

Of course it could have been the summer-like weather inside the Union High School gym.

Still, the meeting between Heppner and Union rattled more than a few nerves.

Shanna Riomondo learned just prior to the game she’d be wearing the libero jersey.

“It was pretty much right before the game,” Bobcats co-head coach Mendy Clark said. “I think she felt a little pressure.

“She did a great job for us. It’s not easy to step right into that role.”

Unfortunately, the visiting Mustangs didn’t feel as much pressure, walking away with a 3-1 win (25-17, 26-25, 18-25, 25-19).

“We got off to a slow start,” co-head coach Rhondie Kohr said. “I think this match kind of shocked the girls. They’re not used to playing from behind.

“This league is going to be tough this season. There are going to be a lot of point-for-point matches.”

Heppner jumped out to an 8-2 lead in Game 1.

Union struggled with its service game, giving the Mustangs four points in the game.

Most of those came on the jump serve.

“We want our girls to be aggressive,” Kohr said. “But we also want them to be smart, and they were. They did a good job of making adjustments on their own.”

Game 2 proved to be the turning point.

Union battled back within a point, 22-21, and the dogfight began.

Both teams traded points with their big hitters.

Union’s Jessy Reynolds collected two kills and a solo block to tally three points.

But the Mustangs’ Lenka Dobosova put the game away with back-to-back kills.

“(Heppner) has a lot of hitters,” Clark said. “They just keep coming at you.”

Cove transfer Shalee Kimball helped the Bobcats stop the sweep.

Kimball stopped a Heppner four-point run in Game 3 with a kill.

She then tacked on an ace, and served the next five points to close out the game.

“We did a lot of things well,” Kohr said. “But there is always room for improvement. We’ll just have to try to get better.

“It’s going to be a fun year with a lot of close matches. I think this shows how well teams on the east play volleyball.”

Union will travel to Irrigon for a four-way tourney Saturday.

Badgers rally in Halfway

HALFWAY — The Pine Eagle volleyball team is still trying to figure out how it lost Thursday night.

Pine Eagle won the first two games over Powder Valley, 25-10 and 25-22.

The Badgers charged back to win the final three games, 25-17, 25-14 and 15-8.

“We really came together,” Powder Valley head coach Lasa Baxter said. “The girls stepped up and I’m so proud of them.”

The Badgers had their share of problems before they even left North Powder. “Right before we left, I found out I had one girl sick and another was injured,” Baxter said.

So, Powder Valley defeated Pine Eagle with only one substitute. Baxter and the Badgers were forced to try new looks on the court.

“We had to play some of our younger players a little more. Freshman Jessie Stephens really stepped up and had a great game. Kate Jones, a sophomore, played a really good all-around game,” Baxter said.

The game was the opener of the 2008 Old Oregon League schedule. Powder Valley travels to Imbler Saturday. “This year no single team can be underestimated in the league. Each game will be a battle,” Baxter said.

Panthers fall in five

HELIX — Imbler’s 10-game winning streak came to an end on the road against Helix Thursday.

The Panthers battled back and forth, but fell in five games — 15-25, 26-24, 13-25, 25-19, 13-15.

“It was a great match,” Imbler head coach Jennifer Teeter said. “We struggled a little in the middle of the match, but the girls hung in there.”

Serving kept the Panthers alive. Trailing 17-12 in Game 4, Chelsea Poe served the last eight points to close out the game.

Again in Game 5, it was Amanda Bowers showcasing her serving prowess.

Bowers brought Imbler back from a 14-9 deficit, scoring four straight points.

“(Chelsea and Amanda) did a great job for us,” Teeter said. “We served aggressively, and it paid off.”

Demetria Thompson and Sarah Bowers finished with 12 kills apiece.

Imbler will host Powder Valley at 1 p.m. Saturday.