By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
STAYTON, Ore.– The Stayton Volleyball team found a way to respond well to close out their 25-12, 25-12, 25-12 sweep of Newport on Thursday evening in Oregon West Conference action.
In both the second and third sets, the Eagles started slowly. Stayton led 8-7 in the second and 10-9 in the third before kicking it into gear down the stretch, closing out the match in three sets while never allowing the Cubs to build any momentum of their own. It’s an encouraging sign for the Eagles, as those two sets have typically been where they hit a bit of a lull. Being able to overcome those slow starts and finish strong could be a good indication of what’s to come for the squad.”The second and third sets are where we tend to have less energy. So seeing those moments where we do rise up to the challenge and pull off those wins like that is huge for us. I think it’s because we’re learning to play for each other and it’s becoming such a family dynamic and culture that it encourages us to play better for each other every, single touch,” said Stayton Head Coach Kiley Power.
In Power first season as Head Coach of the program, the Stayton Volleyball team are off to a strong start. In 12 games, they’re 10-2 on the year, and the squad is riding a nine-game winning streak as well. Their ten wins already matched last year’s ten-win season with seven OWC League games left in front of them.
Power credits their preseason schedule in preparing the Eagles for where they are at now with the first week of league coming to a close this next week.
“I felt like it was the preseason. They worked really, really hard in the preseason. We did double-days practices, they were there for lifts, everyone has been bought in from the very beginning. I felt like that really started this season off really strong. The girls are like sponges, they’ve taken in everything I tell them. It’s just a great team,” Power said.
Their five-set victory over Taft, a 26-24, 21-25, 25-18, 22-25, 15-12 victory on the road at Taft, served as a good bridge from that preseason into league. Coming out of this week, the Eagles are 3-0 in league play with rival Cascade and Philomath still ahead of them to close out the first loop through league.
“That was a great game in all honesty. They fought, Taft fought really hard. They made us work for every point, but starting with that win has definitely just let the momentum go for us and brought us to where we’re at now,” said Power. “That game itself, they pulled out everything that they have in them and they played from their heart truly. It was deep down, gritty touches, scrappy balls and just intentional touches. That game was really good to see.”
And despite the win in Thursday, Stayton will be back to work on Friday preparing for their game with Cascade on Tuesday at home. That game is scheduled for 6pm
“For us this next week, it’s going to be intentional touches, really working on placement, working on hitting. Placement on serving and staying strong through it all. They’re going to work hard tomorrow even though we just won, but they’re right back at it. Which I think is the biggest thing of all,” said Power.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
