One of Trinity Lutheran’s best players was “a question mark,” according to Saints coach Greg Clift, due to an injury heading into Wednesday’s volleyball match. Another opened the contest with three straight errors.

But this is the Saints’ third straight trip to the Class 1A state playoffs — and they found a way to cope.

Mariah Murphy shook off her early miscues and finished with eight kills and three aces, Emily Eidler played through an injury on her way to seven kills, and Trinity Lutheran swept visiting Days Creek 25-23, 25-19, 25-16 to advance to Saturday’s second round of the state playoffs.

“Confidence is everything,” Clift said. “It’s so key. Even when we had a couple (down) moments, you just know you’re going to be fine. You just trust your team and go with it.”

Kenzie Smith and Serena Scomparin combined for 29 assists for the Saints of Bend, and Allison Jorge totaled six digs. The site and opponent for Trinity’s second-round match was yet to be determined.