Panthers seniors shake off sickness, Leopards

PREVAILING PANTHERS: The Imbler volleyball team grabbed a pair of wins against Cove and Joseph over the weekend. - The Observer/PAUL HARDER

The Imbler volleyball team still fought off Cove in three games Friday 25-20, 25-16, 25-17.

At one point Bowers had to run to the bathroom after a rotation.

“It wasn’t too bad when the ball was in play,” Bowers said. “But waiting in between points was pretty tough. I just held my stomach and tried to make it to the next point.”

Bowers even forgot it was her final regular season game.

“I spaced that. We were so busy trying to prepare for Cove. Then I was trying to focus on staying on the court.”

Game 1 remained tight, 8-8, until Chelsea Poe started to serve. The senior collected 10 straight points, recording one ace.

Imbler jumped out quickly in the final two games to finish off the match.

Bowers and Kira Poe finished with five kills apiece.

Stephanie Anthony finished with a team-high 12 digs.

Imbler shook off the Eagles Saturday to cap the weekend.

The Panthers won 25-8, 25-20, 25-9.

“I was proud of the way the girls came out and stayed focused,” Imbler head coach Jennifer Teeter said. “They played really consistent.”

Serving keyed the win. The Panthers were led by Shelby Martin with four aces.

Anthony and McKenzie Tally each recorded three kills.

The Panthers will travel to Powder Valley for a make-up game Thursday at 6 p.m.

Powder Valley

pulls out a pair of wins

NORTH POWDER — The Badgers went the distance Friday and Saturday in a pair of Old Oregon League volleyball wins.

Powder Valley opened the weekend with a five-game victory against Wallowa 25-9, 20-25, 25-11, 20-25, 15-13.

“We put in a few new things,” Badgers head coach Lasa Baxter said. “I think the girls were still working things out a little bit.

“The girls came together when they needed to.”

Jessica Pedro and Sammy Fritz each finished with seven kills.

Jamie Brown and Kate Jones finished with 11 and 10 digs, respectively.

The Badgers battled Cove 12-25, 25-14, 23-25, 25-20, 15-13.

Pedro continued her offensive explosion, recording seven kills.

Ali Abrego collected seven kills.

“Jessica and Ali are two very talented freshman,” Baxter said. “All the girls did a great job making adjustments from Friday. It was really awesome to watch.”

Tierra Prince led Cove with 13 kills and six solo blocks.

Marlee Asmussen had five solo blocks and four kills.

“I was really happy with the effort the girls out out,” Cove head coach Darcy Johnson said. “We worked hard on our blocking, and it showed during the match.”

Wallowa capped its weekend with a five-game win against Pine Eagle 20-25, 15-25, 25-17, 27-25, 15-13.

Anna Chrisman led the Cougars with 11 kills.

Ku’ulei Delatori finished with seven kills and a team-high 22 kills.

Meagan McKenzie collected seven kills and four blocks.

McKenzie Shelton had 19 digs.