Top-Seeded Burns Eyes EOL Tournament Title and Home Playoff Match

Burns High School will face either second-seeded Vale High School or third-seeded Riverside High School in the EOL volleyball championship Saturday, Oct. 24, in Burns, with a tournament title and a home state playoff match at stake. The championship match is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. PDT. The top-seeded Hilanders await the winner of the matchup between Vale and Riverside.

Burns enters the tournament undefeated in league play and ranked No. 3 in 3A. The Hilanders have already secured an OSAA 3A State Tournament berth by winning the regular-season league championship. Winning the EOL tournament would add the EOL Tournament Champions title and guarantee a home match in the first round of the state playoffs.

Senior libero Bailey Temple anchors the backcourt with 448 digs, 386 receptions and 89 aces this season. She has helped lead Burns to EOL titles and high finishes at the 3A state tournament over the past three years and seeks another championship in her final season. Her passing will be important to sophomore Baileigh Nisbet, the team's youngest player and the setter directing its 5-1 offense. Nisbet has recorded 749 assists, 114 digs, 12 blocks and 69 aces, giving Burns both an offensive distributor and another threat from the service line.

Senior outside hitter Amaya Ballard supplies six-rotation production, contributing 260 kills, 74 aces, 175 digs and 268 receptions. Her involvement in both serve receive and the attack makes her a pivotal part of Burns' transition from defense to offense. Keeping Ballard available as an attacking option while she handles backcourt responsibilities will be a key tactical storyline against either opponent.

Junior outside hitter Megan Weil brings another powerful option at the net with 362 kills and 19 blocks, along with 47 aces, 172 digs and 255 receptions. Her energetic play complements Ballard's all-around contributions and gives Nisbet multiple outside targets. For the Hilanders, turning controlled receptions into attacking chances through both hitters will be central to their bid to pair the regular-season league championship with the tournament crown.