Free State High’s volleyball team is finally feeling it.

The Firebirds won two matches out of three during a home quadrangular Thursday, including a 2-0 (15-4, 15-10) victory against cross-town rival Lawrence High. The wins improved Free State’s mark to 8-13, but more importantly, Thursday’s effort showed remarkable team chemistry.

“It’s finally starting to come together,” said Free State’s Jayme Lisher, who registered seven kills against the Lions. “I’m excited about what we have.”

With the sub-state tournament just three weeks away, the Firebirds’ togetherness might have come right on time. After dropping Thursday’s first match to Shawnee Miege, the Firebirds topped Olathe East and the Lions. Miege won all three of its matches by 2-0 counts.

“I figured we played like we should’ve been playing most of the season,” Free State coach Nancy Hopkins said. “I think we’re finally starting to jell, and I found a lineup I think will work for us.”

The lineup Hopkins showed certainly worked against the Lions. Free State jumped to a 9-1 lead in the first game, and quickly finished on a 6-1 run. LHS, 7-11, gave more of a fight the second game, but Free State broke a 7-7 tie midway and never looked back.

“I think we’re going to work on our serve/receive tomorrow,” Lions coach Jo Huntsinger said. “That’s what killed us against Free State. They did a good job serving, and picking on certain people.”

LHS has little time to mend its wounds. The Lions play host to the Joan L. Wells Tournament on Saturday, and will see the likes of Miege and some familiar 6A titans in the all-day event.

“The last two times we competed, we didn’t take a step forward,” Huntsinger said. “Even though we went 0-3 today, I think we took a step forward. But I’d rather be 3-0 than 0-3.”

The Firebirds are idle until Oct. 15. Another matchup with Lawrence is possible later in the season, but beating the Lions has become secondary to just getting a victory.

“It doesn’t matter to me who the other team is,” Hopkins said. “We just need to get some wins on the board. It’s just a plus that it’s Lawrence High.”