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John L. Braese
The Old Oregon teams hitting the volleyball courts this season will see the same league opponents as last year as no changes were made in the league lineup by OSAA.
However, new coaches will be on the sidelines for a few teams and graduation took a toll on more than a few teams.
Last season saw the league champion Badgers of Powder Valley make the trip to Redmond for the state tournament. The Badgers opened the tournament with a loss to eventual third-place St. Paul and end the tournament with a five-set loss to Crane in the consolation round.
2022-23 Record: 11-12 Overall, 7-6 League
League Finish: 7th
2022-23 Final State Ranking: 47th
Seniors Lost To Graduation: 4
Returnees: Scheduled to return are 5 sophomores, 5 juniors and 3 seniors
Season Opener: Tuesday, August 29 versus Trinity Lutheran at Imbler High School
Comments: Chantele Burgess takes over the Leopards after a move brought her back to the area after a coaching stint at 2A Blanchet Catholic. Cove did play summer league volleyball with the new coach so fall will be a continuation, not a start of a new relationship. Burgess and the Leopards will have an early test as Cove hosts Powder Valley, last season’s league champion, on Sept. 5.
2022-23 Record: 15-9 Overall, 10-1 League
League Finish: 2nd
2022-23 Final State Ranking: 15th
Seniors Lost To Graduation: 5
Returnees: Scheduled to return are 1 sophomore, 1 junior and 4 seniors
Season Opener: Saturday, August 26 versus Crosshill Christian at North Clackamas Christian
Comments:Coach Des Thew returns after a stellar season last year with six returnees. The Cougars will open league play on Sept. 8 versus Union. Five players graduating is big in 1A.
2022-23 Record: 6-16 Overall, 2-8 League
League Finish: 10th
2022-23 Final State Ranking: 63rd
Seniors Lost To Graduation: 2
Returnees: Scheduled to return are 1 sophomore, 4 juniors and 5 seniors
Season Opener: Friday, August 25 at Union for jamboree
Comments:Coach Tiana Murphy returns this year after taking the court last season with a young team. The Huskies open the season meeting Union right off the bat in a jamboree setting but a good test of where the team sits for the season.
2022-23 Record: 3-17 Overall, 0-12 League
League Finish: 12th
2022-23 Final State Ranking: 73rd
Seniors Lost To Graduation: 2
Returnees: Scheduled to return are 5 sophomores, 3 juniors and 1 senior
Season Opener: Tuesday, August 29 at Enterprise
Comments: The Griz were young last season and are scheduled to return a group with experience. Griswold starts the season with four matches on the road before finally getting back before the home crowd on Sept. 7 hosting McLoughlin.
2022-23 Record: 17-13 Overall, 7-3 League
League Finish: 4th
2022-23 Final State Ranking: 24th
Seniors Lost To Graduation: 4
Returnees: Scheduled to return are 2 sophomores, 6 juniors and 2 seniors
Season Opener: Thursday, August 24 versus Dufur at Weston-McEwen
Comments:The Panthers ended last year with a tough five-set loss to Open Door Christian Academy in the state tournament. The Panthers will be tested early at the La Grande tournament on Aug. 26, taking on schools from the 3A and 4A levels. Home fans see plenty as Imbler hosts three teams in two days starting Aug. 29.
2022-23 Record: 15-14 Overall, 6-4 League
League Finish: 3rd
2022-23 Final State Ranking: 21st
Seniors Lost To Graduation: 3
Returnees: Scheduled to return are 2 sophomores, 1 junior and 6 seniors
Season Opener: Tuesday, August 29 hosting Central Christian
Comments: After finishing third last season, the Eagles are back senior heavy. The home fans get a quick dose of the team as Joseph hosts both Central Christian and South Wasco County on Aug. 29. The Eagles have a late tournament in the season at Damascus Christian.
2022-23 Record: 12-7 Overall, 7-4 League
League Finish: 6th
2022-23 Final State Ranking: 35th
Seniors Lost To Graduation: 6
Returnees: Scheduled to return are 1 sophomore, 2 juniors and 1 senior
Season Opener: Tuesday, September 5 hosting Griswold
Comments: Graduation took a toll on the Golden Eagles, taking over half the team. 1A sports translates to ebbs and tides so hopefully the freshmen class is female dominant.
2022-23 Record: 6-15 Overall, 4-7 League
League Finish: 8th
2022-23 Final State Ranking: 58th
Seniors Lost To Graduation: 5
Returnees: Scheduled to return are 1 sophomore, 2 juniors and 4 seniors
Season Opener: Thursday, August 24 hosting Irrigon
Comments:Though not as hard hit by graduation as Nixyaawii, the Rockets saw graduation take a toll. Pilot Rock decided to open the season playing up, hosting Irrigon and Riverside and making the trip to Umatilla. The Rockets will then be in Dufur for tournament play, not coming home until Sept. 7 to host the TigerScots.
2022-23 Record: 0-14 Overall, 0-10 League
League Finish: 11th
2022-23 Final State Ranking: 71st
Seniors Lost To Graduation: 0
Returnees: Scheduled to return are 3 sophomores, 4 juniors and 6 seniors
Season Opener: Thursday, August 31 at Powder Valley
Comments: This is another case of a young team last season and for this year, everyone is scheduled back with no graduation losses. Pine Eagle had a tough year, winning only four sets for the season in 2022. A new season starts off tough as the Spartans immediately go into league play on the road facing the reigning league champion Badgers of Powder Valley.
2022-23 Record: 24-9 Overall, 11-0 League
League Finish: 1st
2022-23 Final State Ranking: 6th
Seniors Lost To Graduation: 1
Returnees: Scheduled to return are 5 sophomores, 1 junior and 5 seniors
Season Opener: Tuesday, August 29 hosting Central Christian
Comments: The Badgers won the league last season, graduated only one player and bring back a ton of experience. Do not be surprised to see Powder Valley make a good showing against larger teams at the Baker tournament on Sept. 1 and fans could see a great match versus 3A Burns at a tournament on Sept. 9.
2022-23 Record: 10-14 Overall, 8-2 League
League Finish: 5th
2022-23 Final State Ranking: 31st
Seniors Lost To Graduation: 1
Returnees: Scheduled to return are 2 sophomores, 7 juniors and 1 senior
Season Opener: Friday, August 24 hosting Elgin for jamboree
Comments: The Bobcats bring back the majority of a team that finished fifth in league. Like other teams, Union will play larger teams early at the Hannah Cashell tournament in La Grande starting Aug. 26. That will be followed by a tournament in Baker on Sept. 1 so fans should see what the Bobcats have just two weeks into the year.
2022-23 Record: 5-19 Overall, 3-8 League
League Finish: 9th
2022-23 Final State Ranking: 50th
Seniors Lost To Graduation: 2
Returnees: Schedule to return are 1 sophomore, 5 juniors and 6 seniors
Season Opener: Saturday, August 26 at Hannah Cashell tournament in La Grande
Comments: Last season saw the Cougars start slow, going 0-6 to start the year. This year starts with a host of larger schools at the La Grande tournament before two matches in one day in Enterprise versus both the Outlaws and Griswold on Aug. 29. Wallowa should see a better season start this time around.
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