Volleyball team has a mixed week

The Sisters girls volleyball team spent an exhausting week on the road, visiting league opponents Stayton and Molalla and then traveling to the Seaside Tournament over the weekend.

On Monday, October 7, the Outlaws took on perennial powerhouse Stayton and lost in four games.

"We just got outplayed," said Coach Chris Crosby. "That is one tough gym to play in -- it's dark and unfriendly. Plus, Stayton is big and strong. We had balls coming at us from everywhere."

The Eagles came out strong and dominated the first game, 25-12. The Outlaws came back and won the second game 25-21 before dropping the final two contests by identical 17-25 scores.

Two days later, the girls went to Molalla and came out flat. They dug themselves a big hole by losing the first two games, 19-25 and 20-25.

Coach Crosby said, "Molalla is 0-6 in league play, and we thought that we would just walk over them. Fortunately, we were able to turn it around."

The Outlaws came back and won the next three games, 25-20, 25-22, and 15-7, to take the match.

"That was a huge win," Crosby said. "We had our backs to the wall. It also shows the parity of our league. We hadn't played a five-game match in quite awhile. The crowd was great -- I think we had more parents there than Molalla did."

The win was sweetened by the news that Cascade had lost to North Marion, leaving Sisters tied with Cascade for second place in league right at 4-2 behind Stayton (5-1).

"Cascade would have the tie breaker over us because they beat us in a tough match at their house," Crosby said. "But we play them this week at our gym."

Sisters played in the Seaside Tournament on Saturday, October 12. The Outlaws began by facing number six-ranked Wilsonville in pool play, were upended in three games, 21-25, 9-25, 18-25.

"We only took nine players to the tournament. Our goal was just to play well," said Crosby.

Waldport was the next opponent in pool play, and the girls from Central Oregon took two of three games, 25-17, 21-25, 25-14.

Due to the nature of tournament pairings, the Outlaws then had a repeat date with Waldport in the first round of the consolation bracket. The result was the same, as they won in two games, 25-19, 25-21.

That set the stage to face rival Stayton in the consolation bracket semi-finals.

"We had them on the ropes," said the coach.

"We won the first game, 25-20 and lost the second game 19-25. We were up in the third and deciding game 6-2, but we let it get away and lost 12-15."

The Lady Outlaws are home this week. On Tuesday, October 15 they were to host Cascade in a crucial match, and on Thursday they face Sweet Home.