Freedom got their first taste of defeat on the volleyball court last week after a stellar start to the year.

The Pates fell in five games to Whitehall to snap a seven a game win streak to open the season.

Head coach John Yanek hopes that the first taste of adversity for the group will pay dividends down the road.

“We need to focus on each point, each set and each match,” said Yanek of what he wants his team to take away from the defeat. “Follow the game plan the entire match.”

Freedom has a chance to see how they can rebound this week when they take on Nazareth (6-0) in another big matchup for both teams.

The Blue Eagles are undefeated, but haven’t played one of the top teams in the conference yet.

After that, they get Easton (4-3) and Pocono Mountain East (4-4) to close out a week that should have them continuing their impressive play.

“Nazareth is very big for us,” said Yanek. “They are a rival. They are also undefeated. We need to get back on winning side.”

Liberty (1-5) and Bethlehem Catholic (0-7) are the on the other side of the spectrum as Freedom, as both have struggled to put together wins.

The Hurricanes picked up their first win of the season with a win in five games over Notre Dame last week and have matches against Pocono Mountain West (1-5) and Nazareth this week, with a prime opportunity to pick up a second win over the Panthers.

The Hawks have Southern Lehigh (3-4), Allen (7-2) and Pocono Mountain West on this week’s docket as they look to get into the win column.