The Philomath High School volleyball team opened its 2026 season Tuesday with a 25-7, 25-16, 25-12 loss on the road at Marist Catholic in Eugene.
Senior Nora Stanley led the Warriors with eight kills, while sophomore Alyssa Stanley added five. Senior setter Cheyenne Adams ran the offense with 10 assists.
Marist Catholic entered the match already battle-tested, having opened its season in a tournament with a pair of best-of-three matches. The Spartans lost to Henley in two sets before bouncing back to beat Trinity Lutheran in two sets.
The Spartans return the bulk of their roster from a team that went 25-1 last season and won the Class 4A state championship, making them one of the toughest season-opening tests in the state.
Philomath will look to bounce back Thursday when it hosts Tillamook at 6 p.m. in its home opener.
Marist Catholic 3, Philomath 0
Tuesday, Sept. 1, at Marist Catholic High School, Eugene
Teams (Record) 1 2 3 Philomath (0-1) 7 16 12 Marist Catholic (2-1) 25 25 25
OREGON WEST CONFERENCE
STANDINGS—Cascade 3-0, Central 2-0, Newport 1-0, Taft 2-2, Philomath 0-1, Stayton 0-1.
SCORES—Aug. 27: Taft def. Santiam Christian, 3-2; Taft def. Salem Academy, 3-0. Aug. 28: Catlin Gabel def. Taft, 3-0. Aug. 29: Cascade def. St. Mary’s-Medford, 2-1; Central def. North Salem, 2-0; Cascade def. Dayton, 2-1; Central def. Grants Pass, 2-0; Cascade def. Creswell, 2–0. Sept. 1: Newport def. North Bend, 3-2; Marist Catholic def. Philomath 3-0; Dayton def. Taft, 3-0; Tillamook def. Stayton, 3-2.