Lady Panthers sweep Joseph

Imbler’s Maddy Lease digs the ball in Game 2 of the Lady Panthers’ 3-0 sweep of Joseph Friday. CASEY KELLAS - The Observer

IMBLER — With the regular season winding down, Imbler is setting itself up nicely for the district tournament.

The Lady Panthers improved to 6-2 in the Old Oregon League with a 3-0 (25-12, 25-8, 25-11)sweep of Joseph Friday.

Imbler made quick work of the visiting Eagles.

The Panthers broke open a 4-4 Game 1 with a 13-0 run behind the serving of Malia Mills.

Joseph cut it to 10 at 20-10 and again at 22-12, but the Panthers scored the game’s final three points to take a one-set advantage.

Imbler got off to a quick start in Game 2, jumping out to a 11-3 lead with Maddy Lease at the service line.

A 10-1 run stretched it to 22-5 and Imbler easily took the game.

The Eagles hung tough in Game 3, trading points early on to tie it at 7-7.

But Imbler strung together another run, this time a 6-0 streak to take a 13-7 lead.

A 7-0 run with Jacey Teeter serving made it 21-8 and Imbler went on to finish the sweep.

Mills had 19 digs, nine kills and four serving aces.

She was 100 percent serving and 16 for 19 hitting.

Teeter had 29 assists and three serving aces while going 100 percent at the service line.

Emma Bowers added 10 kills and she went 20 for 22 hitting.

Danika McIntosh had 17 digs, five kills and was 15 for 16 hitting, while Rikki Griffin was 100 percent serving with two serving aces.

Imbler has a showdown in Cove set for Friday in a game that could decide second place in the OOL.

The Leopards lost to Powder Valley (3-0) Friday but swept Pine Eagle Saturday.

Powder Valley is in first place in the OOL with an 8-0 record. The Badgers are 16-2 overall.