Imbler dominates 1A tournament; repeats as Champs

FOREST GROVE – For the first time since 2004-05, 1A volleyball has a back-to-back champion in Imbler, which continued its masterful dominance of 1A volleyball with convincing 25-9, 25-16, 25-15 win over Griswold (Helix) at Pacific University. If there is such a thing as fast-break volleyball, Imbler has it mastered as the Panthers seem to bury opponents so quickly, there isn’t time to respond in a game not governed by a running clock.

After Imbler won the 2008 title last season, it was apparent that the junior-dominated team would return intact as seniors. The Panthers did not disappoint with one of the most dominating tournament runs in recent memory. Imbler went 9-0 in sets at Pacific, surrendering only 129 points, holding its opponents to an average of just 14 points per set. Twice the Panthers held an opponent to single digits, which is remarkable in the age of rally scoring.

After smoking Crane in Friday’s semifinals, the Panthers were ready for their neighborly rivals from Helix. Though the two Northeast Oregon schools are in separate 1A districts, they typically share a home-and-home series each year.  Prior to Saturday’s finale, Imbler had swept Helix twice this season, 3-0.

The match began with Imbler racing out to a 10-5 lead, which quickly grew to 17-7 and 20-8. A Helix timeout did nothing to stop the onslaught as Imbler rolled to a 25-9 win behind Sarah Bowers-Ott’s six kills and 11 assists from Reva West. The Panthers continued their pressure game in set two, quickly jumping on the Grizzlies, 11-3, which generated another Helix timeout. Imbler continued to build a 10-point lead at 13-3 and 20-10 before closing out the set, 25-16. Bowers-Ott added another six kills to lead the Panther attack.

Helix's Britney Smith (#5) battles Imbler at the net.

Photo by Bruce McCain

The first two sets took less than 40 minutes to complete, and Imbler wasted no time in set three. As they did all tournament, the Panthers pounced on their opponent with a relentless offensive attack coupled with a tenacious defense that refused to let a free ball touch the floor. Before anyone knew it, Imbler had a 22-13 lead and it was merely a matter of moments before the celebration could officially begin. Kira Poe’s sixth kill of the set capped a 25-15 win and the end to a remarkable group of seniors who became the first team since Dufur (2004-05) to win back-to-back 1A championships.

This year’s Imbler team was so balanced that Bowers-Ott was named the Qwest Player-of-the-Game, but did not make either all-tournament team. That is no slight to Bowers-Ott, in part because coaches turn in the ballots before the finals, but also because the 2009 Panthers are loaded with a balanced team of stars that many believe could give 2A finalists Blanchet Catholic or Salem Academy all they could handle.

Bowers-Ott finished the title match with 17 kills and 10 digs. West finished with 30 assists and 11 digs. Kira Poe finished with 11 kills in a strong supporting role for the Panthers. Helix’s Chyanne Hack was named Griswold’s Player-of-the-Game with four kills and six digs. Imbler finished with 46 kills to Helix’s 16, again showing how dominant the Panthers were in this tournament.

Imbler's Kira Poe elevates for one of her 11 kills against Helix.

Photo by Bruce McCain

Following the game, all-tournament teams were announced, beginning with Crane, which earned the team sportsmanship award.

1A ALL TOURNAMENT TEAMS

FIRST TEAM

Taylor Thompson (Sr.) – Hosanna Christian (Unanimous)

Natalie Bentz (Sr.) – Crane

Demetria Thompson (Jr.) – Imbler

Reva West (Sr.) – Imbler

Chyanne Hack (Jr.) – Griswold (Helix)

September O’Crowley (Sr.) – Crane

SECOND TEAM

Brooke Nyman (Sr.) – Crane

Kylee Rogers (Sr.) – Griswold (Helix)

Meghan Schroeder (Sr.) – Griswold (Helix)

Kira Poe (Sr.) – Imbler

Chelsea Poe (Sr.) – Imbler

Addie Terjeson (Sr.) – Griswold (Helix)

Imbler Panthers - 2009 1A Volleyball Champions

Photo by Bruce McCain