High school volleyball: Joseph pulls upset over Trinity Lutheran

Published 9:44 am Thursday, October 27, 2022

BEND — The No. 21-ranked Joseph volleyball team first drove 338 miles before taking to the court to meet No.12-ranked Trinity Lutheran in the first round of the Oregon Schools Activities Association’s Class 1A state volleyball playoffs on Wednesday, Oct. 26.

In the largest upset of the opening round of play, Joseph downed Trinity Lutheran, 3-1 to advance to the second round.

The Eagles started the match quickly, shocking the Saints with a 25-15 first-set win. Trinity Lutheran returned in the second set to even up the match, winning 25-17. The third set returned back to Joseph as the Eagles won 25-18. The upset was complete in the fourth set with Joseph fighting to a 25-22 victory.

Joseph has now won five of their last six matches with the lone loss coming at the hands of 1A Old Oregon champion Powder Valley in the district tournament.

Joseph (15-13 overall) looks to continue the upset trend on Oct. 29 against Rogue River Adventist Academy (21-1 overall), the fifth seed in the 1A state tournament. For the Eagle faithful, the trip does not become easier-the mileage from Joseph to Medford stands at 535 miles.