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WBR Sports Local | Oregon High School Volleyball
BEND — The Bend Lava Bears were listed as the home team Monday night, but the match was played across town in the Caldera High gym, and Bend looked right at home anyway, sweeping the Wolfpack 25-14, 25-18, 25-19 in 5A Intermountain Conference play.
The unusual setup is part of life for Bend High while its campus undergoes a full rebuild. The school's old gym, the "Bear Lair," opened in 1956 and was home to dozens of league championship teams over seven decades, including Bend's back-to-back volleyball state champions in 2016 and 2017. It was torn down after last season as part of the reconstruction project. Until a new gym opens in 2028, Bend's home volleyball and basketball games are being played at Caldera, about four miles south.
That arrangement creates a strange scene for a crosstown rivalry. On Monday night, Caldera's players took the floor in their own gym, in front of their own banners, as the visiting team. Caldera is the city's newest high school, opened in 2021, and Bend is its oldest. The two programs have had some memorable battles in a short time, including a five-set Caldera win over Bend in 2024. On this night, though, the Lava Bears left no doubt.
Senior OH Brooklyn Fobi (11) celebrates with Lucy O'Connell (3) after a score.
Bend High huddles up during a timeout.
Bend Sets the Tone Early
Head coach Kristin Cooper's Lava Bears came out sharp. Senior captain Brooklyn Fobi, one of the most dangerous hitters in the state, opened the match at the service line. Bend built an 11-8 lead that pushed Caldera to call its first timeout.
The break didn't slow the Lava Bears. Bend kept stacking points and led 18-10 when Caldera called its second timeout of the set. Sophomore setter Lucy O'Connell then took over at the service line and served out the final points as Bend closed the opening set 25-14.
Caldera Pushes Back in Set Two
The second set was the tightest stretch of the night. Caldera settled in, traded points with Bend and drew even at 10-10, forcing Bend to use a timeout.
Bend responded the way top teams do. O'Connell went back to the line and delivered another big serving run, building a lead that forced Caldera to call timeout trailing 19-14. Bend kept the pressure on from there and finished the set 25-18 to take a 2-0 lead.
Wolfpack Fight to the Finish
Caldera, coached by Alicia Rudloff, made Bend work in the third set. The Wolfpack fell behind 13-8 and called a timeout, then got a spark from senior libero Riley Vidaurri, whose serving run helped Caldera chip away at the lead and brought energy back to its home crowd.
Senior Maddie Himes (center) celebrates after a score.
Bend High student section provided plenty of support for their squad.
Bend held its ground. Caldera used its final timeout trailing 20-15 and kept battling to the end, but sophomore middle blocker Riley Isfeld served match point as Bend closed out the sweep 25-19.
Sophomore Kailyn Cooper anchored the back row as Bend's libero throughout the match, giving the Lava Bears a steady presence in serve receive and defense.
Where They Stand
The win improves Bend to 17-3 overall, and the Lava Bears remain unbeaten in Intermountain Conference play. Bend's three losses have come against Sprague and twice against Crescent Valley, one of the top contenders in 5A. The Lava Bears reached the state final a year ago and entered this season as the coaches' pick for the No. 1 team in 5A. So far, they have played like it. They also beat Caldera 3-1 on September 10 and own league wins over Mountain View, Summit, Redmond, Crook County and Ridgeview.
Caldera falls to 3-10 on the season. The Wolfpack have wins over Ashland, Redmond and Ridgeview. Senior leaders Vidaurri, Marlie Cano, Maddie Himes and Tasi Utu will look to finish the season strong with several league matches left on the schedule.
Up Next
Bend returns to Caldera's gym Wednesday, October 7, to host Crook County. The Lava Bears then play at Mountain View on October 12, host Redmond on October 14 and host Summit on October 19, a rematch that could decide the league title.
Caldera travels to Redmond on Wednesday, October 7. The Wolfpack then host Ridgeview on October 12, play at Summit on October 14 and travel to Crook County on October 19, before closing the regular season at home against Mountain View on October 21.
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