La Grande School District, Eastern Oregon University and the community of La Grande welcomed hundreds of players, coaches, officials and fans to the OSAA/OnPoint Community Credit Union 1A & 2A State Volleyball Championships on November 7th and 8th. LGSD hosted the 1A tournament and EOU hosted the 2A tournament, with a total of 16 teams competing.
This is the first year the tournaments were held in La Grande, and the community really rallied around providing a welcoming and positive experience for the event. La Grande businesses “adopted” teams, painting their storefronts with team colors and logos and swag provided by the schools. Other businesses had painted volleyballs and welcome signs displayed prominently.
The school district and EOU provided a team dinner on Thursday evening at La Grande. Students from the La Grande High School hospitality and tourism program worked with EOU food service to help prepare the meal. Volleyball teams and coaches enjoyed a spaghetti dinner and a festive tournament atmosphere.
Games began on Friday morning and continued through Saturday evening, with energetic, cheering fans. Volleyball teams came from across Oregon, from as far away as Roseburg, which is about 440 miles from La Grande. The final 1A game was between Imbler High School and Crane High School (Harney County); Crane won 3-1 to become state champions. In 2A, the championship game was played between Clatskanie and Crosshill Christian, with Crosshill winning the state title 3-0.
Heppner High School from Morrow County School District competed in the 2A tournament. Principal Ryan Gerry complimented LGSD and EOU on the success of the tournament. “From the moment teams arrived, it was clear that both the community and the facilities were fully invested in making the event special,” Gerry said. “There was a genuine buzz in the air, an energy that reminded everyone just how meaningful these moments are for student-athletes, coaches, and communities. This was everything a state championship should be.”
La Grande School District thanks the 1A tournament’s Gold Level Sponsors: Copies Plus of La Grande, who donated printing of the programs, and Grocery Outlet, who donated all the food for the team/coaches dinner. They also thank the more than 50 businesses in La Grande who donated goods, services, display windows and hospitality to the tournaments. District Superintendent George Mendoza said, “These events were truly a community effort, with so many business owners and community members donating time, products and services. We are immensely grateful for their participation and collaboration to make them amazing events,” Mendoza said.
The district thanks Teresa Dowdy, Tournament Coordinator; Deb Comfort, Volunteer Coordinator; many community volunteers, including those from La Grande chapters of Lions Club, Optimist International and Rotary International; and all the LGSD staff members who volunteered.
Congratulations to the volleyball state champions and thank you to all the teams who competed so well!
See photo highlights by viewing the Tournament Slideshow.