The Imbler Panthers shook off a first-set loss to top the Cove Leopards in their Old Oregon League opener, 23-25, 25-12, 25-18, 25-23, Tuesday in Cove.

“Outstanding team effort tonight,” Imbler head coach Jennifer Teeter said. “I am very proud of our team for their continued improvement and strong work ethic.”

Aspen Smith turned in a strong performance with 17 kills and 11 digs for the Panthers. Erin Coston had 26 digs and six kills, Anika McDonald added 24 digs and Rylee Deal had 35 assists. Joelle Treat was also in double figure in digs with 11.

Stats were not available for Cove.

Imbler (4-4 overall, 1-0 OOL) hosts Pine Eagle Thursday, while Cove (5-2, 0-1) is at Elgin Friday.

Eagles sweep Huskies

The young Joseph Eagles picked up a victory in their Old Oregon League opener Tuesday, sweeping Elgin at home 25-14, 25-17, 25-17.

“Tonight was the first night I felt pretty confident, and the girls are starting to click,” Joseph head coach Jill Hite said of her team, which is starting three freshmen.

Sabrina Albee had six kills, three aces and two blocks for the Eagles. Maggie Miller has five assists, and both Camille Crenshaw and Molly Curry had four aces.

Kaelin Evans had six kills and six digs for the Huskies. Tymra Anderson added six aces, six digs and three blocks, and Jayden Palmer had eight assists.

“It was a hard loss. The girls were pumped going into our first league game and had been playing very well together,” Elgin head coach Tiana Murphey said.

Joseph (3-4 overall, 1-0 OOL) plays at the Powder Valley Tournament Friday, while Elgin (2-3, 0-1) hosts Cove Friday.

Cougars top Outlaws

After taking a tight first set, the Enterprise Outlaws were unable to maintain momentum in a 24-26, 25-21, 25-17, 25-18 home loss to the Wallowa Cougars Tuesday night.

“We played much better against Wallowa tonight than the last time we met in Mac-Hi, and we had some moments of great volleyball,” EHS head coach Lisa Farwell said.

Both Kasey Duncan and Ashlyn Gray had 14 digs for the Outlaws. Carsyn Miller had 16 assists and Claire Farwell connected on 100% of her serves.

Jamie Johnston had 12 kills and 12 blocks for Wallowa.

“It was a very fun game to watch. We got down in the first game but started battling back,” Wallowa head coach Janea Hulse said.

The Outlaws (5-5 overall) are off until Sept. 20 when they travel to Cove. Wallowa (4-1 travels to Powder Valley Thursday to begin Old Oregon League play.