JOHN DAY — Grant Union volleyball is moving on to the quarterfinals of the state playoffs after the team defeated Sheridan 3-0 in front of a hometown crowd on Saturday, Oct. 30.

The Lady Prospectors, after putting down Stanfield in a three-set thriller Oct. 26 on the road (25-19, 26-24, 26-24), had spring in their step on Saturday and made quick work of the Spartans in the first two sets, handily winning both 26-14.

Sheridan stubbornly held on in the third set, at one point knotting up the score at 22 apiece.

However, according to sophomore Jaydika Anderson, the team leaned on each other to forge ahead in the decisive third set, 27-25, to run away with the win.

Grant Union sophomore Drewsey Williams said the energy the hometown crowd brought made a significant impact.

For her part, senior Paige Gerry said the team had confidence in one another to pick up the win.

Shanna Northway, Grant Union’s volleyball coach, told the Eagle in a Sunday email that the squad is currently playing well as a team.

Northway added that the Lady Pros’ serving game was on point Saturday and they had just four serving errors the entire match.

Overall, Northway said the team is special and an all-around great group of student athletes.

“They put in the time on and off the court,” Northway said. “They work incredibly hard and have very high expectations of themselves and their teammates.”

As an example, she said that over the past two seasons the team has spent an incredible amount of time working on serving and passing.

“These girls have great fundamentals, high volleyball IQ, and the drive and composure to win when faced with intense games,” Northway said.

Grant Union is now 22-10 overall and, as of Oct. 26, was ranked No. 4 in the state.

Grant Union’s volleyball program has had postseason success in the past.

According to Northway, former Grant Union volleyball coach Shae Speth led the team to a state championship in 2017 after making runs for the title in 2015 and 2016.

And, Northway said, when Ali Abrego was at the helm, the Lady Pros took second at the state championships in 2018 and sixth in 2019.

Due to the pandemic, the state championship tournament did not take place last season. However, Northway said her team is excited to still be in the hunt this year.

The Lady Pros were set to host the fifth-ranked Vernonia Loggers at an undetermined time Tuesday, Nov. 2.

The Loggers are 20-5 overall and 11-5 in league play.

Northway said the Loggers will be a great matchup for the Lady Pros.

Vernonia, according to Northway, is a fundamentally sound team.

“Much of our success this year has come from keeping teams out of system,” she said.

When opponents are unable to get their offense going, Northway said, her team can capitalize on it.

In addition to Vernonia’s sound fundamentals, the team has a pair of notable hitters and an outstanding senior setter, according to Northway.

It will be crucial that Grant Union’s serve/pass game is on against Vernonia, she said.

“Tuesday will be a great game,” Northway said. “If we keep playing with the focus and intensity that we have in the past couple of weeks, things will go well for us.

“Our strength of schedule has really taught these girls how to battle and fight for every point. We are prepared for this to be a battle and are excited to play some good volleyball on Tuesday.”

This article has been updated from its original version to include Grant Union head coach Shanna Northway’s comments.