When it comes to knowing where his team is in the landscape of District 11 volleyball, Freedom’s John Yanek has the pulse of his Patriots.

Freedom comes into the week at 7-2 overall with wins over everyone they expected to beat, but losses to Whitehall and Parkland, in contests that Yanek would like to reverse.

“We are beating the teams we should, but as of now not beating those we want to, Parkland and Whitehall,” Yanek said. “We are in the second tier of teams, but should be in the first tier. We are still working on different lineups, and have closed in on one, we believe.”

With Northampton and Allen this week, it presents another opportunity to beat a team in the K-Kids (6-3) that are in a similar tier as the Pates at the moment. But Yanek wants more from his group and that includes pushing them up the ladder where they can compete to beat the likes of Whitehall (9-0), Parkland (5-1) and Emmaus (7-1).

“We have learned valuable lessons from our losses,” he said. “Focusing on every point from beginning to end, following the game plan, and adapting to game situations quickly. We have to not worry who is on the court, but work with those on the court at that time. We also have to realize that every player has a place on our team, from starters to those on the bench. If we master these we will exceed beyond our expectations.”

Liberty (6-2) has won three-straight since its defeat to Parkland on April 5. The Hurricanes will get a crack at seeing what tier they belong in this week when they travel to Whitehall on Wednesday night in a marquee matchup.

Bethlehem Catholic (4-4) stopped a three-game slide with a win in five games over Nazareth last week and now face a week with Pocono Mountain West and Parkland.