By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
PHILOMATH, Ore.– If you were either team between Cascade and Philomath Volleyball on Thursday night, you wanted a game like this with the 4A State Playoffs on the horizon.
The first three sets in what would have become a 28-26, 20-25, 25-22, 25-16 Warriors victory over the Cougars in Oregon West Conference play on Thursday, really could’ve gone either way as it did during the two squad’s first meeting back on September 30 up in Turner. The competitiveness, the energy, the fight. It was all there as these two Top 5 4A teams prepare for the playoff push that is ahead for both teams.
It was a good mental test as well, a measuring stick even to see where they’re at, as both teams prepare for the final week of the regular season this next week. It was those little things that were the differences in this one.
Cascade jumped out to leads of 15-9 and 14-6 in the opening two sets before Philomath clawed their way back into the contest. The Cougars slowed down the rallies, coming back from a 20-17 deficit in the first set to force extra points before falling 28-26, only to close out the second set with a late set surge to even up the match.
“We really focus on mental toughness, doing the right thing, and really focusing on our roles. That’s definitely going to be something we’ll focus on in practice is being mentally tough and just doing the little things and just keep getting better,” said Cascade Head Coach Cristina Williams.
Philomath took the overall match advantage after the third set and took advantage of some Cascade miscues in the fourth set to swing momentum into their favor to close out the match. Handing Cascade their first OWC defeat of the season eight games in.
“I think we’re going to work more on our serving, I think that’s something we need to focus on and just be mentally tough in those hard situations and in those hard tight games. We’re learning how to fight back. It’s something that we need to work on,” said the Cougars Macie Thies.
Cascade closes out the season with back-to-back home games against Newport and Sweet Home on Tuesday and Thursday, respectively. The Warriors head to the Marshfield Tournament before closing out the regular season at North Marion and hosting Newport this next week.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
