The Warrenton Lady Warriors drew a tough first round opponent Saturday, in a first round match of the class 3A volleyball state playoffs.

Despite their second straight Coastal Range League championship, the Warriors — for the second year in a row — had to hit the road to face undefeated and defending state champion Santiam Christian out of the Mountain Valley Conference.

And the No. 1 seed Eagles never trailed in a quick three-game match, as they swept the No. 16 seed Warriors, 25-9, 25-11, 25-11.

“When you play a team that hasn’t lost more than five sets to 3A schools all year … I’d say it’s a tough draw,” said Warrenton coach Staci Miethe.

“I told the girls if we could win this match David and Goliath style, then we would be hands down the most popular 3A school in the state, because there isn’t any team that wants to face them. If (the Eagles) don’t win it again this year I would be shocked.”

Warrenton still had early hopes against the Eagles in Game 1.

Santiam Christian scored the first four points, but serving runs by Mia McFadden and Nora Ayo helped the Warriors pull into a 5-5 tie.

The Eagles called time out, proceeded to score the next 10 points, and never looked back, outscoring Warrenton 20-4 the remainder of the set.

Santiam Christian led from start to finish in Game 2.

The Warriors took advantage of a kill by Leah Scheiwe to force a 3-3 tie in the third set, and Natalie Oseguera’s ace serve had Warrenton within 10-7, but with their big front line, the Eagles pulled away from there to close out the match.

“Natalie Osegurea had an incredible game,” Miethe said. “She led the team in kills and even came in to serve — which she didn’t do very often this season — and had an ace.

“We played really good defense, Melia Kapua specifically, digging D1 level hitting, but Santiam’s main hitter (last year’s 3A Player of the Year) was able to adjust and keep the ball away from her most of the second and third games,” she said. “It’s a tough way to end the season, but I don’t want the girls or our fans to let that detract from the fact we had an amazing, historical season.”

Santiam Christian improved to 24-0 overall, while the Warriors end their season 13-13 overall.