The Philomath High School boys volleyball team dropped to 1-2 on the season Monday night with Thurston winning on its home court, 25-16, 18-25, 25-18, 25-23.
The match was the first in 11 days for PHS and the team played without two of its top players — senior Carson Winder (overseas trip) and junior Andrew Muir (injury).
“We didn’t have everyone at practices due to spring break, so a match the first day back was rough with some signs of being rusty and losing the first set,” Bennett said. “We jelled better as a team the second set, serving tough and forcing them to make mistakes.”
Down 2-1, Philomath battled in the fourth set but came up short in the end. Said Bennett, “I applaud the boys for working hard for every point.”
Senior libero Raul Sanchez had an exceptional match in the backcourt, Bennett said, with an 80% passing efficiency, a key factor with the team’s ability to run its offense. At the service line, PHS had seven aces. On the defensive side, middle blockers Mason Stevens, junior, and Aiden Carrier, senior, had a combined six blocks.
The Warriors will see their next competition next week with Tuesday matches at Newport. Philomath will begin the afternoon with a 4 p.m. matchup against the Cubs and then follow with an evening battle against Marshfield.