Photos by Nolan Graham

The Burns Hilander volleyball team started the 2025 season with two wins at the Grant Union Tournament held Saturday, Aug. 30.

In their first game, the Hilanders faced-off against the Heppner Mustangs and won in straight sets 25-20, 25-16.

Jocelyn Graham led the way for the Hilanders in attacking, racking up 12 kills. Amaya Ballard finished with seven kills, Megan Weil had five kills, while Natalee Otley-Smith and Shelby Peasley had one kill each.

Ballard led the team in serving, with four aces. Hayley Smith and Graham each finished with one ace.

Taylor Trent, Graham, Peasley and Weil each finished with one block.

Bailey Temple led the team in digs, with 13. Smith finished with four, Trent and Tenley Richardson had three, Graham and Weil had two, and Shaylynn Gruber had one dig.

Trent led the team in assists with 26.

In their second game of the tournament, Burns defeated Prairie City in the finals in straight sets 25-7, 25-14.

Graham and Ballard led the team with nine kills each, while Weil finished with seven and Trent had two.

Richardson led the team in serving, finishing up with four aces, Gruber had three aces and Weil had two aces.

Ballard led the team in digs with eight, while Gruber and Temple had six digs. Smith finished with five digs, Trent and Weil each had four digs, and Graham had two digs.

Trent finished with 20 of the team’s 24 assists, with Gruber finishing with two and Graham and Otley-Smith finished with one assist each.

The Hilanders will head to Baker City on Saturday, Sept. 6, for the Baker Tournament. The tournament is set to begin at 9 a.m. They’ll then take on Pendleton in their home opener on Tuesday, Sept. 9. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m.