Sweet Home kicked off the 2011 OSAA playoffs with a three-game play-in victory over Stayton Saturday that set the Huskies up with a home game against Cascade Saturday, Nov. 5.
Sweet Home took care of business from the start against the Eagles, winning the first two games 25-12, 25-16 and then coming from behind to take the final game 26-24.
The Huskies were down 22-24 in the third game before they called a time out.
“When the girls stepped out on the court after the time out they knew what had to be done,” Coach Alicia Meier said. We could not let Stayton win that game and give them a chance to change the momentum of the match.
“I could tell each girl wanted the serve to come to them and we got the side out on Megan Graville’s tip over the block. Brandi (Trewin) stepped back to serve and we tied the score 24 – 24 on Megan’s cross- court kill. Stayton hit the ball into the net for 25-24 and then Brandi had an ace to win the game.
“The girls really wanted to win in three games it was great to see their confidence when they were down 22-24. As a coach I was confident that they would win that game and proud of them for their performance.”
Trewin, Annie Whitfield and Graville recorded seven kills each. Trewin added two blocks and six digs, Whitfield and Graville served four aces each and Whitfield added 14 digs.
“The team has been playing at a higher level since our win against Elmira,” Meier said. “I believe we are playing the best volleyball of our season right now. The team chemistry, confidence, and desire are all present right now and it could not be at a better time.”
The time for the game against Cascade had not been determined by press time. Updates will be posted at sweethomenews.com.
The Cougars are 17-4 after winning Oregon West Conference play with a 9-1 record. Sweet Home has beaten Cascade twice so far this season, in the Sisters Tournament on Sept. 24 (25-22, 11-25, 15-7) and in the Cougars’ gym on Sept 13 (27-25, 25-17, 25-23). Cascade beat Junction City 25-18, 25-19, 25-11 in its play-in game Saturday.
“Cascade is always a tough team to play,” Meier said. “They are very athletic and defensively they are always quick and scrappy. Offensively, they have two middles who are very smart in changing up their hits to keep us on our toes. Our wins against Cascade were at the beginning and middle of our season so a lot has changed for us as well as them. They have had a successful season and we are looking forward to playing them again.”
The winner of Saturday’s game will move on to the state 4A tournament at Lane Community College on Nov. 11 and 12.
Meier urged fans to turn out to support the Huskies.
“We would love to get a full house to cheer these girls on,” she said.