Bend High Lava Bears fall short in state volleyball finals
FOREST GROVE, Ore. {KTVZ} — The Bend High Lava Bears made their third trip to the Oregon State Volleyball Championship match in the past four years on Saturday night. Still chasing their first title since 2018, the Bears faced a towering challenge in top-seeded and defending state champion South Albany.
Bend came out strong in the opening set, showing the same sharp play that defined their season as IMC champions. Energy was high on the court, and early on, everything was clicking for the Lava Bears. But South Albany showed why it has dominated all year, battling back to claim a 25–21 win in the first set.
The momentum shifted firmly in the RedHawks’ favor in the second. Despite a gritty effort from Bend, led by IMC Player of the Year Brooklyn Fobia and a trio of standout freshmen, South Albany maintained control down the stretch and secured the set 25–17.
With multiple young starters and a core full of energy and promise, the future remains bright for Bend High volleyball. As one player noted with determination, “It’s not the color of medal we wanted, but it gives us motivation to come back next year and show who we are.”
Though this season didn’t end with the title they hoped for, the Lava Bears’ unity, resilience, and rising talent have built a foundation for another championship run in the near future.
