The Imbler girls volleyball team poses with the 2A state trophy after defeating Crane in five sets.

LA GRANDE — Imbler ended a 13-year title drought Saturday night, beating Wapiti League foe Crane 21-25, 25-22, 13-25, 25-16, 15-12 in the championship game of the OSAA/OnPoint Community Credit Union 2A state tournament at La Grande High School.

“We knew it would be a battle,” Imbler coach Jennifer Teeter said. “Crane is an excellent team. With them winning the last three, and losing to them last season, we knew it would take everything we had to get it done tonight.”

The Mustangs (24-6), who won the past three 1A state titles, were 3-2 against the Panthers (25-5) this season, but Imbler won the one match that mattered most.

“It was a great match,” Crane coach Maddye Wester said. “That’s what you want, a five-set battle for points. End of the day, they played a cleaner match and they earned it. I’m very proud of my team. They battled the entire time. They could have chosen to let go and let Imbler take it. I’m proud of them for that.”

Tied at 2-2, the teams moved into the fifth set, where Imbler was riding high after winning the fourth set.

The Panthers, behind five crucial points from Kinley Adams, took an 8-3 lead over the Mustangs. Crane pulled within 9-8, but Imbler did a good job of keeping the ball in play to stay a point or two in front.

Imbler held a 13-12 lead late in the set, and back-to-back unforced errors by the Mustangs gave the Panthers the points they needed for the win.

“Since the day after the state tournament last year, we all wanted another shot,” Teeter said. “I told them it was their story to write. I’m so proud of them.”

In the first set, the teams were tied 15 times before Crane pulled away late for the win.

The second set saw Imbler take the lead at 9-8, and even though Crane tied the score at 21-21 and 22-22, the Panthers kept their composure. Isla Howard hit off a block for the win to even the match at one set apiece.

The Mustangs dominated the third set, getting a string of seven points from Claire Grant to take an 11-3 lead. Imbler pulled within six points, but would get no closer.

With their backs against the wall, the Panthers took control of the fourth set early on as Adams reeled off five points for a 7-1 lead. Crane battled back to pull within 14-10, but a kill by Howard forced sideout with Imbler leading 15-10.

Howard went to the service line, where she put five points on the board. Brymlee Morehead had two kills in the run, and teamed up with Cora Royes to put up a block on Crane’s Maddie Peters.

The Mustangs got a couple of points back, but could not catch the Panthers, sending the match to a fifth set.

“All year, our success has come from everyone, including the kids on the bench,” Teeter said. “They are the ones who push us in practice. Without that support, it would be hard to be this special. There was an amazing crowd for our kids to play in front of. This crowd was exciting.”

Crane’s Kendal Nichols, Kaitlyn Siegner and Kamryn Dunten were named to the all-tournament first team, along with Imbler’s Morehead.

Imbler’s Whitney Haddock and Howard were named to the second team.

Howard and Dunten were named the Moda Health Players of the game.