In its second trip to Sisters in two days, Sweet Home’s volleyball team had a so-so outing at the Outlaws’ tournament Saturday, Sept. 19.
The Huskies played tough in the pool round, losing 21-18 to Banks, one of the state’s top teams. They also lost to Vale, another of the state’s best, before beating Madras 25-13, 25-20 in the consolation bracket and the losing 25-18, 25-15 to Estacada.
“We looked really tired,” Coach Mary Hutchins said. “We lost to two really, really good teams.”
Sweet Home, 3-5 overall, 1-1 in league, which has played every one of its eight-plus matches (pool play games in tournaments aren’t counted in season records) in opponents gyms this year, gets its home opener Tuesday evening when it hosts Sutherlin, 6-4, 1-1.
“The schedule has been pretty brutal,” Hutchins said Monday. “The girls are really, really excited.”
Sisters 3, Sweet Home 0
Following a league season-opening win over Junction City, Sweet Home’s volleyball team went flat against defending league champ Sisters Thursday, Sept. 17, losing 25-9, 25-10, 25-9.
The Huskies, who have played several top teams competitively so far this year, “never showed up,” Coach Mary Hutchins said.
“I felt like they were super intimidated by Sisters,” she said. “We’ll definitely not look like that next time.”
Sweet Home 3,
Junction City 1
Kayley Lopez had a banner night against the Tigers, who were 6-0 coming into the match on Tuesday, Sept. 15, dominating at the net, Hutchins said.
The coach did not have statistics at hand, but said Lopez had an “amazing” night on both sides of the net.
“She was on fire.”
The rest of the Huskies were not far behind after losing the first game to their hosts, then opening it up to win the next three.
“After we lost that first game, we went back to our game plan and they executed it,” Hutchins said.
Molly Fisher, Madisen Barringer and Josie Knight were tough from the service line and Ally Tow added some punch on offense at the net.
“It was probably one of our best games,” Hutchins said. “All of the girls were playing well together.”