The Grant Union Prospector volleyball team gathers after their 3-1 win over the Monroe Dragons Friday in round one of the state playoffs. The win earns the Prospectors a shot at the OSAA State Championships Nov. 7-8 in Redmond. The Prospectors will face the Portland Christian Royals  Friday at 4 p.m. on court 2 at Ridgeview High School. Front, from left: Baylee Combs, Taylor Allen and Katylyn Wells; back row, Grace Taylor, Maddie Spencer, Abby Lusco, Kenna Combs, Paige Gerry, Harli Grove, Carson Weaver, Audrey Walker and Lauryn Pettyjohn. Head coach is Ali Abrego with assistant coach Andrea Combs.

The No. 12-seeded Grant Union Prospector volleyball team is advancing to the OSAA 2A Volleyball State Championship, facing the No. 4-seeded Portland Christian Royals at 4 p.m. Friday on court 2 at Redmond’s Ridgeview High School.

The Prospectors took full advantage of their wild card spot for round one of the state playoffs Saturday defeating the Monroe Dragons 3-1.

“We played one of the best games that we have all season and knocked off the No. 5 team in the state,” said Prospector head coach Ali Abrego.

Grant Union won with scores of 14-25, 25-18, 25-23, 25-21.

Abrego said her team came out timid in the first set, but gained their bearings in the second.

“The third set was intense and a real turning point for us — we fought hard to secure the win,” Abrego said. “We were disciplined for three consecutive sets, something that we’ve struggled with in the preseason.”

She said each team member had a solid game, contributing to the win.

“This win was a real team effort, and we worked hard to eliminate our own mistakes,” she said.

Grant Union has a 14-16 overall record, 7-5 league, and Portland Christian is 25-3 and 12-0.

A noisy sendoff will take place at 5 p.m. Thursday, as the Prospectors travel out of town to Redmond. The tradition usually includes emergency vehicles with sirens blaring and lights flashing, leading the way and fans in their vehicles following behind the bus, honking their horns. Fans also waves from the sidewalks in John Day and Mt. Vernon.