John L. Braese
REDMOND – In an all-eastern Oregon 1A volleyball final, the Crane Mustangs repeat as state champions after downing the Union Bobcats, 3-0.
Crane started their defense of state champion with a 25-10 victory in the first set. Union came alive in the second set before the Mustangs won 25-20. The third set did not go easy for either team with the score tied on seven occasions and the lead changing hands four times before the Mustangs stormed the court with a 25-23 victory.
Kaitlyn Siegner led the offense for Crane, recording 13 kills to lead all scorers. Ava Bowen ended with eight kills followed by Cara Goss-Bodily’s seven kills against the Bobcats. Goss-Bodily also added three aces serving while Kendal Nichols had 32 assists in the Crane attack.
In the loss, Union saw seven kills by both Sawyer Shoemaker and Kaelyn Shoemaker. Sawyer Shoemake also recorded nine assists followed by Paisley Miller’s eight assists. Miller and Joslyn Miller each put up seven digs for the match.
Players for each team saw accolades for their play in the state tournament.
Siegner was a unanimous first team all-tournament selection and was joined on the first team by both Miller and Sawyer Shoemaker for Union.
The Bobcats’ Kaelyn Shoemaker was joined on the second teams by the Mustangs’ Kamyrn Dunten, Goss-Bodily and Nichols.
Crane looks ahead to next season and a threepeat without the services of only senior Elaia Idoeta.
Union looks to return to the state tournament next year losing seniors Brea Rudd, Kaelyn Shoemaker, Joy Platz and Miller.
