<I>The Eagle/David Heldreth</I><BR>Grant Union's Jacee Retherford goes up for a block during a game against Burns Oct. 7 at the Grant Union gymnasium.

JOHN DAY – The Grant Union volleyball team had a rough season in 2008.

The Prospectors finished the year with a 21-13 overall record, a .617 win percentage, and 5-5 record in the Eastern Oregon League. However, the Pros’ EOL record kept them just short of the Oregon School Activities Association playoffs.

Grant Union lost their final game of the regular season 3-0 to Vale Oct. 23 and tied Riverside for the final playoff spot in the EOL. Grant Union lost to Riverside 3-1 in the teams’ first meeting Sept. 13, but the Pros took the second meeting 3-2 Oct. 18. The Pirates and the Pros met in Pilot Rock for a tie-breaker Oct. 28. Riverside took that match 3-1 and knocked Grant Union out of the season.

“That was a disappointing loss,” Grant Union coach Karen Broemeling said. “I think against Riverside they kind of figured out our offense and we didn’t adjust to that.”

Despite missing the playoffs, the Pros had a strong season and several players earned EOL honors.

Jacee Retherford earned a spot on the all EOL first team, LaShawnda Gill was on the second team and Katelyn Page was selected for the honorable mention team. Taylor Croghan’s tough defensive play earned her the distinction of an all-league defensive specialist. Megan Nash picked up the coaches’ award at the team banquet Wednesday, Oct. 5.

All five award recipients will graduate in June. However, next year’s team will have six returning players, including five seniors.

“We’re graduating five seniors,” Broemeling said. “I think we’ll still be tough next season. I think Shannon Croghan will be good. She saw a lot of time and was only a sophomore this season. Aspen Riggs, Karina Hoffman, Bre Wilson and Ashley Slinkard will be there too.

“We have some good talent coming back.”

Grant Union fared slightly better last season and ended the year with a 10-6 overall record, a .625 win percentage, and were 6-4 in the EOL. They finished in third place in the EOL and then lost their first round playoff game to Reedsport 3-1.

The 2008 season was Broemeling’s second season in her second stint as the Grant Union coach. She coached the team for six years previously, but took a break due to family concerns. She hopes to continue coaching the team next season.