OTHELLO – The never-say-die Othello Huskie volleyball players know how to battle and, as a result, have started the season 3-0.

The Huskies outplayed a much taller East Valley team last week for a 3-2 victory.

The visiting Red Devils, with two 5-11 hitters and a 6-foot middle blocker, pounded out a rather convincing 25-18 first set win. The Huskies battled back to win the second set 25-20.

East Valley rebounded to win the third set, 25-20. But the Huskies battled back to win the fourth set, 25-19, and force a fifth-set tie-breaker.

Othello won the game, 15-12, to take the game, 3-2, and the match victory to remain undefeated in non-league play.

“The girls never gave up,”Huskie coach Steve Parris said.

Cayleen Garza led the Huskies with 10 kills and five aces. Heidi Martinez contributed seven kills. Allison Garza chipped in 22 digs, and Macy Hampton added 28 assists and four aces.

“Heidi and Cayleen really poured it on tonight,” Parris said. “They hit really well and made some very smart choices with the volleyball.”

Othello’s service game was solid, but Parris would like to see his team improve its passing.

“We need to clean that up so we can get our middles more involved in our offense,” Parris said. “We served them tough. Cayleen and Macy Hampton both went on some runs for us at the service line.”

The comeback victory coupled with the team’s straight set 3-0 win at Toppenish on Thursday leaves the Huskies tied with the traditional CWAC volleyball powers Grandview (2-0) and Selah (3-0).

The Huskies have a demanding 3-match home stand starting today with Prosser, continuing Thursday against Ellensburg and ending Tuesday, Sept. 27 against Grandview.

Prosser was the team the Huskies beat to earn a spot in the state qualifying cross-over match last year. Ellensburg finished second in district to Selah but went on to reach the state championship match before losing to Burlington Edison.