Huskies rule court in Heppner

HUSKY HIGHLIGHT: Elgin’s Bejia Robbins helped lead her team to the Blue Mountain Conference playoff title Saturday in Heppner. Observer file photo

The Huskies defeated Union and Weston-McEwen at the Blue Mountain Conference District Tournament Saturday to claim the league title.

“It was just an amazing day of volleyball,” Elgin head coach Twila Ivins said. “It was a total team effort and everyone played a role in this. I’m just really proud of the girls.”

“I think the girls were really confident coming into the tournament,” Ivins said. “They have been fun to watch and they believe in themselves.”

Union, seeded third, struggled with the Elgin defense and especially with serve-receive.

“I thought both teams played well,” Union coach Mendy Clark said. “Elgin just doesn’t make mistakes out there and they outplayed us today.”

Union went on to lose to Heppner in four games in the next match.

Elgin met up with No. 1 Weston-McEwen in the championship match. After losing the first game 25-22, the Huskies went on to win the next three games 25-20, 25-19 and 25-20 to win the tournament.

“I think that any one of the team’s there could have won. We just happened to get on a role and came out on top,” Ivins said.

Tara Ludwig had 19 blocks and seven kills on the day for Elgin. Ludwig was also named the co-player of the year in the league. Karly Knapp had six kills and was named second team All-League team.

Shantel Malone finished the day with nine kills and was an honorable mention for the All-League team. Ivins raved about the job her setters did this year, including Shelby Smith. “Sometimes the setters don’t get the credit they deserve. They make a lot of stuff happen out there,” Ivins said.

Beija Robbins was named the MVP of the league and Ivins nabbed coach of the year honors.

“It’s been a special season for us,” Ivins said. “I can’t say enough about this team and how they have played.”

For Union, Jessy Reynolds had 29 kills on the day, while Sara Bauers had four kills. As a team, the Bobcats had 24 blocks on the day.

“I’m proud with how my girls play,” Clark said. “We would have liked a better outcome, but it didn’t work out that way.”

With the win, Elgin has earned the right to host a state playoff game for the first time since 1985 when Ivins was a senior captain on the team.

“It’s funny how it has come full circle like this,” Ivins said.

The Huskies will play Oak Ridge Saturday. The start time for the match is still to be determined.