The Burns volleyball team won the Eastern Oregon League (EOL) District Playoffs with a 25-18, 25-18, 25-22 win over Irrigon on Saturday, Oct. 20, at Burns High School (BHS).

In the first set, the Hilanders got out to an 8-4 lead, and maintained the lead throughout the match on their way to the win.

Burns took an early lead in the second set, with Irrigon staying within one or two points until Burns went up 16-13. The Hilanders then got a side-out and went on a 4-0 run to extend their lead to 21-13. With Burns up 24-14, the Knights closed the gap to 24-18 before the Hilanders scored the winning point.

The Hilanders went up 7-2 in the third set before Irrigon came back to tie the set at 7-7. The Hilanders then regained the momentum, and built a 15-10 lead. The Knights then got the hot hand and the Hilanders fell behind 18-20.

Burns fought back, tying the score at 20-20, and eventually grabbing a 22-21 lead. The Hilanders outscored Irrigon 3-1 over the final minutes for the victory.

With the win, the Hilanders move on to the OSAA Class 3A State Volleyball Tournament as the No. 1 seed from the EOL.

Irrigon finished the regular season in third place in the EOL, and defeated Nyssa 3-1 in the first round of the district playoffs. The Knights then faced Vale, the No. 2 team in the EOL, in the first match on Oct. 20 at BHS.

Irrigon upset the Vikings 23-25, 20-25, 25-23, 25-15, 15-13, to move into the championship match against Burns.

Despite the loss to Burns, Irrigon moves into the 3A state tournament as the No. 2 team from the EOL.