The day we visited practice of the Vale volleyball team, the team had endured a “running day”. This consisted of more running and less work on basics, but a team working towards the goal of able to hit the road for two or three days and play three matches a day.

Locally, the Vikings will be one of the first teams to play before local fans. Vale opens the season on Thursday, August 29, welcoming the Tigers of La Grande.

Vale finished last season with a 10-14 overall record and an 8-2 3A-6 Eastern Oregon League record. They finished behind league leading Burns with a perfect 10-0 league record and Irrigon with the Knights finishing with a 6-4 league record, but an important victory in the district tournament over Vale. Entering the state tournament in the third slot, the Vikings fell early with a loss to Salem Academy.

La Grande took the league title in the 4A-6 Greater Oregon League last season, finishing 17-7 overall and a perfect 6-0 league record. The Tigers grabbed a 3-2 victory in the first round of state play against Marshfield, but fell to both Valley Catholic and Hidden Valley to close out the tournament.

As Vale takes the court against the visiting La Grande team, two seniors with memories of last season are still playing out.

“Personally, I want to improve each and every game,” said Maycee Delong. “As a team, we need to communicate better and push harder than other teams.”

Lady Vikings listen to instruction during practice.

A senior this year, Delong said the team is still young, but has the talent to make this a good year.

For herself, Delong is looking at two matchups-Burns and Nyssa.

“We lost to Burns twice last year and that was tough,” Delong said. “With Nyssa, it is just the rivalry.”

Sierra Cleaver also takes the floor this season as a senior. Like Delong, Cleaver also has personal goals this year.

“I want to play to my full potential and I know I have to be much more of a vocal leader this year,” said Cleaver. “Each and every player this year has to grow.”

Cleaver is looking towards a little retribution towards the Knights of Irrigon.

“That was tough losing against them in the district tournament and I want a shot at them again,” she said. “I also want to beat Nyssa here in our own gym.”

This year, senior night for Vale will have the Nyssa Bulldogs visiting the Viking gym.

“We are going to work harder than any other team in this district this year,” Cleaver concluded.

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