Ione/Arlington win Big Sky Volleyball Championship

Athletes honored with all-league awards

The Big Sky District Volleyball Championship was held last Saturday, and the Ione/Arlington Cardinals took the trophy at the Dalles High School gymnasium.

The Cardinals came into the conference ranked second in the East Division, behind the Wheeler County Rattlers and struggled at times during the season, falling to Wheeler County and shutout 0-3 by South Wasco County.

The Lady Cardinals played the #3 seed Lyle/Wishram in the League Playoff, or Play-in game on October 23, winning in straight sets 3-0. It was enough to make the tournament in The Dalles as the #2 seed.

But when the Cardinals entered the Kurtz Gymnasium at The Dalles High School, they played with a chip on their shoulders and dominated the district tournament.

Ione/Arlington beat the top-ranked South Wasco County team in a thrilling match, winning 3-0 in straight sets (27-25, 27-25, 25-23).

Sherman County also advanced against top-seed Wheeler County, winning in five sets, 3-2 (12-25, 19-25, 25-22, 26-24, 15-6).

But the Huskies didn’t have an answer for the Cardinals in the championship game. Ione/Arlington won in three sets (25-20, 25-21, 25-17).

Coach Dawn Eynetich says that she is incredibly proud of the team, and says they never gave up on themselves.

“The girls worked really hard this season and had some tough practices the week of districts and it paid off,” Eynetich said. “We are working this week more on our defense and will be ready for whatever Elkton brings!”

The Lady Cardinals will host Elkton on Wednesday night in Ione at 6 PM.

Sherman County will travel to St. Paul for its playoff game, which will begin at 6 PM.

Wheeler County will look to regroup and will travel to Powers on Wednesday, with the match starting at 5 PM.

Big Sky Volleyball Awards

First Team:

Jayda Iversone, South Wasco County – Player of the Year

Morgan Cole-Hand, Wheeler County

Victoria De La Torre, Ione/Arlington

Bailey Udey, South Wasco County

Addison Smith, Sherman County

Cadence Young, Dufur

Second Team:

Macy Bell, South Wasco County

Kiara Peters, Sherman County

Phegley Padberg, Ione/Arlington

Jayla Avila, Klickwood

Hannah Fischer, Wheeler County

Honorable Mention:

Hailee Pachanec, South Wasco County

Maddy Martell, Dufur

Bailey Coelsch, Sherman County

Audrey Poteet, Bickleton

Addison Whitmore, Bickleton

Timber Wright, Condon

Willow Wright, Condon

Evelyn Tomka, Horizon Christian

Jocee Hoctor, Klickwood

Danika Wright, Lyle

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 
Rendered 01/07/2025 10:09