Canby brought a little “chaos” to the state capital on Saturday, as the Cougars volleyball team pulled off the huge upset over sixth-ranked Sprague to advance to their first state quarterfinals in a decade.
The Cougs had previously swept Grant High School in three straight sets the night before Halloween to advance to the second round, but the Olympians would prove a much tougher challenge.
Sprague jumped out to an early lead, taking the first set, but Canby won the next two to pull ahead to a 2-1 lead. Refusing to go down so easily, Sprague took the fourth, setting the stage for a decisive fifth set.
Playing in a gymnasium packed with the Sprague faithful, the Cougs held their poise and stunned the home crowd, jumping out to a 5-1 lead. The final point came on an ace by Caitlin Gay. Chaos descended on the team and the Cougar fans who had made the trip.
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CANBY WINS!! The Cougars are going to the state tournament for the first time since 2007!! #opreps @canbynow @canbyathletics @Canby_Principal pic.twitter.com/hqY761jsgg
After the game, Caitlin said, “This is for all of our seniors. We feel so connected now. We found that special something. It might be magic, I honestly don’t know.”
The win gives Canby its first trip to the state tournament at Liberty High School since 2009, when they finished fifth. Congratulations, ladies! Way to make us proud.
For more photos, see the album on our Facebook page, courtesy Oregon’s Elite.
Photo courtesy Canby High School Volleyball.