JOHN DAY – The Grant Union volleyball team kept its playoff hopes alive last week.

The Prospectors won three straight matches over Nyssa, Umatilla and Riverside. They beat Nyssa 3-0 in Nyssa Thursday, Oct. 16, while the Umatilla, 3-0, and Riverside, 3-2, wins came Saturday, Oct. 18.

Grant Union now has a 5-4 record and is in third place in the Eastern Oregon League. However, if they beat Vale Thursday, Oct. 23 and then Vale loses its two final games, the teams would be tied for second place. The Pros also have the chance of being passed by Riverside. The Pirates are 4-4 with two games remaining and could tie or keep Grant Union out of the playoffs with wins over Vale and Nyssa this week.

Katelyn Page led the Pros in the game in Nyssa. She had 11 kills, three aces, and two digs. Jacee Retherford had nine kills, eight digs and six serve receives. LaShawnda Gill led the team defensively with 16 digs and 12 serve receives. Taylor Croghan had 13 serve receives.

The team had an attack percentage of .275.

Grant Union faced a doubleheader at home Oct. 18, playing Umatilla at 12 p.m. and Riverside at 6 p.m. Page was once again out front offensively with nine kills against Umatilla. Shannon Croghan had a strong game as well, with seven aces and 17 set assists. Gill continued to play strong defense with nine digs in the game.

Riverside proved a tougher opponent as they did when Grant Union traveled to face Umatilla and Riverside earlier in the season. Grant Union beat Umatilla 3-0 away, but lost 3-1 to Riverside Sept. 13. The Pirates took the match to the fifth and final game. Grant Union won the second, third and fifth games. The scores were 25-19, 25-14, 25-19, 27-25 and 15-10.

“Overall for the week our offense was much more aggressive,” Grant Union coach Karen Broemeling said. “We are doing much better converting on free balls and defensive balls. We had a good week. Against Riverside the team kept a positive can-do attitude that contributed to the win.”

Retherford took control of the offense and had 15 kills and three aces in the game. She also earned nine digs in the game. Page added 14 kills in the game, and Aspen Riggs had 12. However Gill stood out on defense again with 22 digs and 48 serve receives. Taylor Croghan had 14 digs, and Megan Nash had 11.

“Jacee Retherford really hit hard offensively along with Aspen Riggs, Kate Page,” Grant Union coach Karen Broemeling said. “LaShawnda Gill lead on defensive digs and impressive serve receive. Taylor Croghan and Megan Nash also finished the week strong in defense along with Shannon and Jacee. Great team effort with all members contributing. Karina Hoffman made the final point in game 5 against Riverside with great hit to the side of Riverside’s court. Shannon Croghan again did well with 35 set assists.”