Olathe ? Free State High’s volleyball team split a pair of close matches Thursday night during a triangular at Olathe Northwest.

Free state lost to SM East, 18-25, 25-21, 23-25. Then the Firebirds defeated Olathe Northwest, 25-18, 25-19, 25-23.

“We’ve been struggling with illness lately,” FSHS coach Nancy Hopkins said. “We’ve had to change our lineup. We were more true to form tonight. We played much, much better.”

The Firebirds (15-10) will play Tuesday at the Shawnee Heights quadrangular.