Sweet Home held its destiny in its own hands entering this week as the Oregon West Conference volleyball season winds down with two final games.
The 10th-ranked Huskies (6-2) came into their game on Tuesday at third-place and No. 12 Philomath one win ahead of the Warriors (5-3). If the Huskies came away with a win at Philomath in the game that took place after The New Era went to press, they would be guaranteed a playoffs slot.
Sweet Home lost 3-0 at No. 2 Cascade, giving the Cougars a run for their money with a 25-22 loss in the first set, then falling 25-9, 25-14.
“We didn’t really show up,” Coach Mary Hutchins said. “Even when we were right with them during the first set, we just had no fire as a team. Disappointed but determined to bounce back.”
At home Thursday against Newport, the Huskies made short work of the visitors, 25-8, 25-10, 25-11.
“That was a total 180 from when we played them (at Newport),” Hutchins said. “At Newport there were a lot of rallies and Newport challenged us by hitting the back corner a lot.
“In this game, they just really committed a lot of unforced errors and we were successful taking care of the ball on our side of the court.”
Following the match with Philomath, Sweet Home will finish the regular season on Thursday, Oct. 20, hosting North Marion.