Sweet Home’s volleyball team suffered its first league loss of the season 3-2, on Monday, Oct. 21, at Sisters, which tied the teams for the league title.
The Huskies enter the state playoffs as the third-seeded team, behind the No. 2 Outlaws and No. 1 Valley Catholic, the only other team to beat them this year.
Sweet Home wound up its the regular season Wednesday, Oct. 23, at Newport, winning 25-15, 25-12, 25-15, to enter the playoffs at 11-1, 18-2.
The match at Sisters, now 11-1, 23-2, was a battle, Coach Mary Hutchins said, ending 28-26, 15-25, 30-28, 21-25, 11-15.
“It felt like we were having to fight and claw our way for every point,” she said. “It was one of those nights that things we normally do fairly well were difficult for us.
“They were very on. They were having a really good night.”
She said she was proud of her team for battling when they were down.
“The girls were fighting, fighting, fighting for points. We were able to take some sets off them, put some pressure on them.”
Hutchins said her players were particularly disappointed when they lost the fourth game.
“They were definitely trying. There were a lot of really good rallies, a lot of great play. That’s what happens with two teams that are really good.”
Up next is a first-round match-up on Saturday with, likely, either Marshfield or Cottage Grove, depending on final rankings that hadn’t been announced as The New Era went to press. The winner will move on to the state tournament at Forest Grove High School Nov. 1-2.
“We are practicing, working on some things that we saw that we need to improve on,” Hutchins said. “The girls are excited about a home game. We are motivated, working hard, hoping for good things.”