PRAIRIE CITY – Battling an injury to one of its key players, the Prairie City High School volleyball team finished 2-1 in weekend matches to remain on top of the Old Oregon League with a 6-2 record.

Panthers’ coach Eva Saul said Lindy Black suffered a rib injury in the Friday, Oct. 10, match against Wallowa, and saw limited action in the Cove and Crane matches on Saturday.

“We were able to make it through the weekend and we are still in good shape heading into the final matches of the season,” Saul said.

Wallowa def. Prairie City

25-27, 25-11, 26-24, 25-12

Against Wallowa, the Panthers won the first match 27-25 before dropping the next three to the strong Cougar squad.

Black had 10 points and five kills before being injured in the second game of the match, and Brittany Reid had eight points, nine assists, five kills and set 92 percent.

Cherise Ricco was 100 percent in serving with eight points and four kills.

Eve Denton was 89 percent in setting with five points and six assists, and Amanda Rockhill was 86 percent passing with six kills and three stuff blocks.

Danielle Smith was 79 percent passing with six points and four kills, and Danielle Ricco had a pair of stuff blocks and five kills.

Prairie City def. Cove

25-23, 10-25, 15-25, 25-23, 15-12

In Saturday’s league tournament, Prairie City went a grueling five games in the opening match before coming away with a 25-23, 10-25, 15-25, 25-23, 15-12 victory over Cove.

“It was an up and down weekend for us,” Saul said. “We won the first game against Cove and then dropped the next two. However, we were able to pull together and win the final two games.”

Smith was 100 percent in serving with four points in the match against the Leopards. She also had seven kills and was 82 percent in passing.

Rockhill was 90 percent in passing with nine kills and four stuff blocks, and Reid was 90 percent in setting with 11 assists, eight points and seven kills.

Denton had 14 assists, 12 points and was 92 percent in setting, and Ricco was 90 percent in passing with five points and four kills.

Danielle Ricco had four kills, four points and two stuff blocks, and Jill Martens had three kills.

Prairie City def. Crane 20-25, 25-14, 24-26, 25-13, 15-12

After the long match against Cove, the Panthers came right back after a 20-minute rest period to defeat Crane in another five-set match.

“Crane has a much improved team, and we were a tired after going five games against Cove,” Saul said.

The Panthers dropped the first game to the Mustangs 25-20, but came back to capture the second game 25-14.

Crane went up 2-1 winning the third game 26-24, before the Panthers captured the final two games by scores of 25-13, 15-12.

Reid led the way for Prairie City with 14 kills, nine assists and three points while setting 87 percent, and Smith had 12 points, seven kills and passed at an 81 percent clip.

Rockhill passed 77 percent with six kills, and Cherise Ricco had six points, three kills and passed 92 percent.

Tiffany Sullens stepped in for the injured Black who played just in the back row against Crane, and scored 18 points serving.

Denton had 19 assists, 11 points and set 90 percent, Danielle Ricco had six points, and Kayla Reid chipped in with a pair of kills.

Prairie City is tied with Wallowa for first place in the league with a 6-2 record, and returns to action on Friday, Oct. 17, hosting Adrian for Homecoming. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.