COQUILLE — If Coquille and Reedsport are destined to battle for the Sunset Conference volleyball title, they staged a good prelude for the rest of the season Thursday.

The Braves beat the Red Devils in a five-set match in the league opener, grabbing an early jump on Coquille in the league race.

“That could be a playoff game,” said Reedsport coach James Hixenbaugh. “It’s huge. Coming into Coquille and winning is a big feat for us.”

Reedsport won the match 25-16, 25-19, 11-25, 22-25, 15-10.

Though it finally was settled when Kelly McLain had a kill on a hit that looked almost like a hook shot through Coquille’s blockers, the key stretch of the match came an hour earlier, in the second game.

Coquille was seemingly in control of the game, with an 18-12 lead, when the wheels fell off for the Red Devils in a combination of errors and tough serving by Reedsport’s Jordan James. She took the line after a Coquille service error with the Red Devils leading 19-15 and proceeded to run off the final 10 points, including three aces and kills by McLain and Hannah Smith.

The big run was reminiscent of the Braves’ match against the Red Devils in Reedsport last year.

“It happened last year, too,” she said. “I served the last 10 points and we came back and won it.”

“That was a real big game,” Hixenbaugh said.

The Red Devils didn’t let the bad finish to the second game get them down, rebounding in the third game by scoring 15 of the last 18 points. Christie Andy, one of several freshmen in the lineup, had all four of her aces during a nine-point serving run and Kalei Libby added three kills.

The fourth game was close all the way before Coquille pulled away with a late run that included a pair of kills by Nikki Hall, another freshman.

Coquille coach Troy Cooper was pleased with the way his team battled back, especially given the make-up of his roster.

“I was pleased with the performance,” he said. “We knew Reedsport was going to be tough.”

The Red Devils are missing their top returning setter, Cooper’s daughter, Lindsey, to an injury that probably will keep her sidelined at least two more weeks.

In her place were senior Mari Meador and a pair of freshmen — Andy and Courtney Davis.

“They’re doing a nice job,” Cooper said.

But Coquille’s magic from the third and fourth games didn’t carry over to the final set.

The teams were tied five consecutive points, starting at 6-all, before the Braves scored the final five points.

That left Reedsport’s players both excited and relieved.

“It’s definitely good,” said McLain, who finished with 13 kills and three blocks. “It’s supposed to be us, Coquille and Cascade Christian (in the race for the league title).”

“It’s huge,” added James. “It’s the first league game. It means everything.”

She said the Braves refused to let down after Coquille’s comeback.

“We did well at staying positive on ourselves and being able to get back up when we were down,” she said.

James finished with nine kills and two blocks.

Shelby Wiggans, Reedsport’s libero, had 12 digs and two aces, while the Braves’ two setters, Kelsey Moore and Smith, each had six kills and six digs. Moore had 13 assists and Smith added 11.

For Coquille, Mary Jo Pflaum had 12 kills, while Hall added nine and Libby eight. Libero Laurie Breuer had 24 digs.

Cooper said Coquille will try to rebound from the loss in time to face Cascade Christian.

“We want to send the message that we can compete,” he said.

Both Reedsport and Coquille will be in Florence on Saturday for the Siuslaw Invitational.