The Philomath High School boys volleyball team played the first of six league doubleheaders scheduled for this season with a sweep Tuesday over Newport and Marshfield.
Playing at Newport, PHS defeated the Cubs in a marathon match, 18-25, 25-19, 25-17, 21-25 and 15-8. Then in the nightcap, the Warriors downed Marshfield 25-12, 25-19 and 25-18.
“Four teams, two matches going on side-by-side in one gym … it was a pretty loud and chaotic atmosphere,” PHS coach Helen Bennett said. “The boys were quite amped up to play.”
In the first match against the host school, Bennett said the team played tight and frantic which led to several errors, specifically with serving and serve receive. But the Warriors settled down to take the next two sets.
After Newport forced a fifth set, the Cubs jumped out to a 6-3 lead in the finale. Philomath rallied, however, to post the victory.
“I looked to Andrew Muir and Carson Winder to carry the offensive attack and they delivered,” Bennett said. “Chris Eaton and Antonio Martinez were also clutch on the serving line and Antonio finished the set and match with an ace.”
Muir, junior, finished with nine kills and a .470 efficiency percentage. Winder, senior, had eight kills and senior setter Isac Marcelo had four blocks.
Philomath followed with the straight-set win over the Pirates. Bennett said the Warriors were “effective in running our offense.”
In that one, Muir and Winder each had nine kills. Marcelo added four kills. As a team, the Warriors had 13 aces but also recorded 14 service errors. Bennett said junior Mayson Wallace provided a spark off the bench for PHS with his steady overall play.
Philomath (3-2 overall, 2-0 district) is scheduled to play another doubleheader this coming Tuesday. This time, the Warriors will be in the home gym with matches against North Bend (4 p.m.) and Newport (6 p.m.).