 
	Pendleton’s Austin Hayden chases the soccer ball on Aug. 22, 2025, during a team practice. KATHY ANEY/CUJ
	
	
		
		
			
							ANNIE FOWLER, The CUJ UMATILLA — Pendleton scored two goals in the first half, then held on for a 2-1 nonleague win over Umatilla. “It was a very good game,” Umatilla coach Pedro Ortiz said. “I believe my boys continued improving in passing as a team.” Gabriel Figueiredo scored the first goal for Pendleton (4-6 overall), while Miles Johnson gave…
					 
		
	  
			
				
				 
	Pilot Rock’s Aubrey Corbin (16) sets the ball while playing Nixyaawii on Oct. 1, 2025, in Mission. KATHY ANEY/CUJ
	
	
		
		
			
							ANNIE FOWLER, The CUJ MISSION — It wasn’t easy, but Pilot Rock pulled out a 25-22, 25-20, 25-17 Old Oregon League victory over Nixyaawii on Wednesday, Oct.  1. “Our team played hard all match,” Pilot Rock coach Jen Porter said. “We had several times in the first two sets where we were down and we came back for the win.…
					 
		
	  
			
				
		
	
		
		
			
							ANNIE FOWLER, The CUJ ONTARIO — Pendleton fell to 0-2 in Greater Oregon League play with an 8-0 loss to Ontario. Goalkeeper Thor Case had nine saves for the Bucks (3-6 overall), while coach Evan Brandhagen praised the defensive play of Jack DeGrofft. 
					 
		
	  
			
				
		
	
		
		
			
							ANNIE FOWLER, The CUJ HELIX — Nixyaawii won its first Old Oregon League match since 2022 with a 20-25, 25-18, 25-17, 25-11 win over Griswold. “We’ve been practicing and working hard,” Nixyaawii coach Nina Watchman said. “It came down to good communication and working together. It showed tonight on the floor.” Nixyaawii (2-4 overall, 1-2 OOL) last won an OOL…
					 
		
	  
			
				
		
	
		
		
			
							ANNIE FOWLER, The CUJ PILOT ROCK — Condon opened play at the Pilot Rock Crossover with a 25-18, 26-24, 25-10 win over the host Rockets on Saturday, Sept. 27. Kashley Golden led the Rockets (5-8 overall) with six kills, while Coley Gibbs had 22 digs and three aces, Kessa Litfin 10 digs, and Aubrey Corwin 14 assists. PINE EAGLE 3,…
					 
		
	  
			
				
				 
	Weston-McEwen head volleyball coach Marie Cain runs a drill on Aug. 22, 2025, during a team practice. KATHY ANEY/CUJ
	
	
		
		
			
							ANNIE FOWLER, The CUJ UNION — Crane, ranked second in the 1A poll, fought off Weston-McEwen for a 25-14, 25-17, 23-25, 25-15 victory Saturday, Sept. 27 at Union High School. The TigerScots (6-7) also beat Union in three sets, but the scores were not available. “We served well today, putting pressure on the other teams,” W-M coach Marie Cain said.…
					 
		
	  
			
				
				 
	Nixyaawii’s Devon Hall Spencer receives a serve while playing Dufur on Sept. 27, 2025, in Mission. KATHY ANEY/CUJ
	
	
		
		
			
							ANNIE FOWLER, The CUJ MISSION — Serving woes plagued Nixyaawii in its 25-12, 25-11, 25-14 nonleague loss to Dufur on Saturday, Sept. 27. “We missed most of our serves, which really hurt us,” Golden Eagles coach Nina Watchman said. “We will be working hard and resetting.” Freshman Cryssa Kirkie led Nixyaawii (1-4) with three tips, two blocks and one kill,…
					 
		
	  
			
				
				 
	Pilot Rock’s Marshall Hull (55) closes in on Echo quarterback Tyler Campbell during their game Sept. 26, 2025, in Pilot Rock. LINDSAY MURDOCK
	
	
		
		
			
							ANNIE FOWLER, The CUJ PILOT ROCK — Junior Tyler Campbell ran for three touchdowns and threw for another as Echo rolled over Pilot Rock 50-6 in Special District 3 action Friday, Sept. 26. “He was sick last week and he came out and played well tonight,” Echo coach Thomas VanNice said. “He played quarterback and tailback — that is a…
					 
		
	  
			
				
				 
	Pendleton quarterback Cole Sazue attempts to evade Estacada defender Thomas Classen on Sept. 26, 2025, in Pendleton. KATHY ANEY/CUJ
	
	
		
		
			
							ANNIE FOWLER, The CUJ PENDLETON — While Pendleton had a hard time finding the end zone, Estacada reached the promised land several times on Friday,  Sept. 26, in a 40-16 nonleague win over the Bucks. “They were more physical tonight,” Pendleton coach Erik Davis said of the Rangers. “We have to decide how we want to attack the rest of…
					 
		
	  
			
				
				 
	Pendleton’s Samuel Watrud, Eagle Edmiston and Khoda Brown warm up on Aug. 27, 2025, at Community Park at the start of cross-country practice. KATHY ANEY/CUJ
	
	
		
		
			
							ANNIE FOWLER, The CUJ FAIRVIEW —  Pendleton’s Jack Reynolds ran a personal best 16:29.20 and finished 13th in the Division 2 varsity race on Friday, Sept. 26 at the Nike Portland XC at Blue Lake Regional Park. The Bucks fielded a complete team and placed 20th in the team standings with 446 points. West Salem won the team title with 95…