Area volleyball finished league last week and Class 3A begins playoffs this week. Cottage Grove wrapped up Sky-Em by defeating North Bend 3-0. The Lions rallied to a third place finish in league this year.
The No. 19 Pleasant Hill earned second place in the Mountain Valley Conference after an upset with No. 13 Creswell in the MVC playoffs last weekend in Sisters. It started with tying the regular season last week, when the Billies defeated the La Pine Hawks 3-0 on the road. Anna Crawford led the Billies with 17 kills and 30 digs. Sari Strinz contributed 5 kills, 23 digs, and 3 aces, while Siena Shaddon dished out 27 assists to guide the offense. At the first league playoff, at home, the Billies beat the Hawks 3-0 again. Crawford dominated with 20 kills, 29 digs, and 3 blocks. The Billies reached the championship round where they lost to Sisters 3-1.
Creswell wrapped up the regular season with Elmira on Thursday and won 3-0. Leading the Bulldogs was Piper Hanson with 16 kills, 2 aces and 24 digs; Marley Query with 4 aces, 14 kills and 13 digs; and Teighlor Nunez with 3 kills and 34 assists. The Bulldogs then battled for second place in MVC against Pleasant Hill and lost 3-1. They grabbed third place in the conference this year instead. Hanson recorded 34 kills and 24 digs; Nunez tallied 40 assists, 3 kills and 10 digs; and Query had 25 digs and 4 kills.
Class 5A Springfield is on a 5-game losing streak in the Midwestern League. Last week, it lost to Thurston and Crater. The Millers are looking at a last-place position in league for 2025.
Meanwhile, Thurston ended its 2025 season 1-1 last week, defeating Springfield 3-0, but losing to North Eugene 3-0. They earned 5th in the Midwestern League this year with an overall 7-11 record. Thurston did not qualify for the playoffs.
PREVIEWS
#8 COTTAGE GROVE (12-6)
Setting up: With a second-place finish in the Sky-Em League, the Lions have earned an automatic qualifier for the Class 4A state playoffs. With the No. 8 seed, they can host their first-round game on Saturday against the No. 9 seed. Class 4A rankings will settle on Tuesday night, with matchup announcements Wednesday morning.
#13 CRESWELL (14-10)
Setting up: The Bulldogs host No. 25 Warrenton (12-9) in their first-round playoff this Wednesday. Like Creswell, the Warriors grabbed third place in their league for this season. Creswell is led by Piper Hanson and Teighlor Nunez.
#19 PLEASANT HILL (13-12)
Setting up: The Billies hit the road to face the No. 15 Banks Braves this Wednesday. The Braves are on a 14-game winning streak and took first place in the Coastal Range League. Despite being in a rebuilding year, the Billies finished second in league play.
#28 SPRINGFIELD (6-15)
Setting up: The Millers are on an 8-game losing streak in the Midwestern League. They end their season at Fryback Court this Tuesday against North Eugene. The Millers are looking at a last-place finish in league this year for the rebuilding program.
