Photo by Brandon McMullen

The No. 1 ranked BHS volleyball team defeated the No. 2 Dayton Pirates in the 2026 OSAA 3A State Championship game for the school’s 10th title and co-head coach Paula Toney’s ninth state championship.

Burns got to the finals by defeating the Coquille Red Devils in the quarterfinals in straight sets 25-23, 25-21, 25-10, in the playoffs held at Marshfield High School in Coos Bay.

The team played Sisters in the semifinals on the same day, winning in five sets 25-16, 17-25, 25-23, 25-19, 15-5. 

In the finals, the Hilanders proved too much for the Pirates, winning their 10th title in four sets 25-21, 20-25, 25-20, 25-21.

Megan Weil led the attacking for the Hilanders with 23 kills, averaging 5.8 kills a set. Coral Averett and Shelby Peasely each logged 10 kills, while Amaya Ballard finished with nine kills.

As a team, the Hilanders racked up 11 aces with Natalie Otley-Smith, Averett, Ballard, and Baileigh Nisbet each finishing with two aces. Bailey Temple, Reagan Young, and Weil each notched an ace.

Kristee Condon and Weil led the team in blocking with two blocks. Averett, Ballard, Nisbet, and Peasley each finished with one block.

Temple worked her magic in the back row, logging 33 digs for 8.3 digs a set. Ballard chipped in with 21 digs in four sets, while Weil had 18 digs.

Nisbet finished with 47 of the team’s 49 assists.

The Hilanders finish the season 29-2 overall and will lose four players to graduation in Bailey Temple, Natalie Otley-Smith, Amaya Ballard, and Shelby Peasley.

For their efforts in the tournament, junior Megan Weil was a unanimous selection to the first team All-Tournament Team. Senior Bailey Temple was named to first team as well. Sophomore Baileigh Nisbet was named second team All-Tournament Team.