With their first win under their belt – a victory at home over La Pine, Sweet Home’s volleyball team was over one hump last week, but ran into another – Sisters.
Even in the Outlaws’ gym, the Huskies got off to a good start on Thursday, but they ended up on the losing end of a three-game match.
Sweet Home 3, La Pine 0
The Huskies took charge from the beginning, dominating defensively and at the net in a 25-15, 25-12, 25-18 win.
“We did a good job on serve receive but made to many errors serving – 11 missed serves,” Coach Alicia Meier said.
Megan Graville had 11 kills and two aces, while Emily Marchbanks served eight aces and had 24 assists from her setter’s position.
Sisters 3, Sweet Home 0
Sweet Home played even with the hosts for the first part of the game, Meier said.
Harlee Brendle and Alena Davis block a La Pine spike..
“It was nice to see them come out that way,” she said. “Just about every point was matched and we stuck with them. Then we got down a little bit. We just have a little bit of a mental block with Sisters.”
The Outlaws went on to a 25-15, 25-12, 25-13 win.
Sisters Tournament
Due to smoke, the Outlaws hosted their tournament at Redmond High School, where Sweet Home came out strong, splitting two games with Stayton in pool play, then beating North Bend 2-0 before splitting with Henley.
In the championship bracket, the Huskies once again found themselves facing Sisters, and lost 25-8, 25-13.
Assistant Coach Mary Hutchins, who was in charge at the tournament as Meier stayed home with her 2-week-old baby, said the Huskies played “really well as a team in the pool round.
“They had a lot of energy. We were finally starting to see some good blocking. We were watching them improve all morning. We were the lowest-ranked team there, so we were pretty excited. It was definitely worth the trip.”
She said Graville and Amanda Hubbard had a good day at the service line.
The Huskies travel to Junction City Tuesday, Sept. 28, and host Cottage Grove Thursday.
“Our league is really tough,” Meier said. “Elmira is ranked No. 1, Cottage Grove No. 2 and Sisters is No. 3.”
However, after starting the season ranked 42nd out of 42 teams, the Huskies are up to 35 and climbing.
“We can play with those teams as long as we’re more confident,” Meier said.
In the season-opening Jamboree at Cottage Grove, Sweet Home beat Junction City in one 25-point game.
“It will be an interesting game,” she said of Tuesday’s match.