If Freedom's volleyball team wants to join the ranks of the Lehigh Valley Conference's elite, this could be the week they do it.

The Patriots (6-3, 4-2) took on Pakland (7-1, 6-1) last night in a clash that could transform the Pates from a team outside the top four or keep them in the middle of the pack.

Head coach John Yanek knows that beating a team like Parkland isn't easy, especially since the Trojans were just clipped by Emmaus in five games last week. That result may have meant something when the two teams collided last night.

"I think that loss helped our guys see that nobody in the conference is unbeatable," said Yanek. "I really think the league is wide open, but sometimes it takes a result like that to show kids that's possible. We had a very good practice after our loss to Northampton last week and I think they understand that we either need to start playing our best or we're going to stay where we are."

Freedom fell to Northampton 23-25, 20-25, 13-25 last week to mark their second loss to one of the LVC's "top-four" teams, as an early season loss to East division leader Easton (8-1, 5-1) fell into that equation as well. A loss to Parkland would mark a third defeat to one of the league contenders.

"We're running out of time to beat some of the best teams in the league," said Yanek. "I don't know if we need to beat Parkland to prove anything to ourselves, but we definitely need to give them a competitive match."

Outside of that, the Pates host Whitehall (5-5, 3-4) on Thursday in a must-win showdown for Freedom. Freedom lost to the Zephyrs in a three-game sweep to open the season and the team is primed to provide some revenge this week.

"That's a game that we are really looking forward to," said Yanek. "We need to beat Whitehall."

Bethlehem Catholic (3-4, 3-3) faces a tough stretch this week, as they take on Whitehall and Parkland as well. Liberty (3-6, 2-6) hopes to have gotten some confidence back after snapping six straight defeats, as they defeated Delaware Valley and Allen last week.

The Hurricanes looked to continue their winning ways over Dieruff (3-5, 2-4) on Tuesday. They'll face a stiffer test on Thursday against Emmaus (7-1, 5-1).