The final home game of the regular season ended in defeat for the Boys Varsity Volleyball Team, beat in two sets by the De Smet Spartans, 25-19 and 25-13, May 7.

For seniors Austin Holtzmann, Sam McNair, Forrest Nettles and Kyle Woodard, hitters, they would don their volleyball jerseys for the final time at home.

The Wildcats hung with the Spartans for a majority of the first set, trailing by three in the middle of the set, 16-13.

“I think the energy from Senior Night helped,” Mr. Greg Curran, head coach, said. “Sometimes it causes a distraction, but tonight I think it loosened them up.”

The Spartans were able to pull away at the end of the first set, winning by six, 25-19.

“We made a few errors at the end of the first,” Ethan Mourer, setter, said. “We just didn’t really pick our heads up after that.”

The Spartans came out of the break in between sets and dominated from the outset, jumping out to an early lead, 6-1.

“De Smet really settled down,” Coach Curran said. “They didn’t make a lot of mistakes.”

De Smet continued to pull away in the second, taking an 11 point lead, 18-7.

“I think we played our hardest. They’re are just really good,” John Jameson, hitter, said. “I think they are one of the best teams in the state.”

The Spartans rounded out the game winning by a robust 12 points, 25-13.

“Their experience showed up late,” Coach Curran said. “They’re one of the best teams in the area.”

Despite the loss of the seniors and the loss of the game, the biggest loss was perhaps Coach Curran, who will be retiring after this season and coached his final home game, May 7.

Holtzmann took the microphone during the Senior Night festivities to pay tribute to Coach Curran. “He’s changed everyone on the team,” Holtzmann said. “He will be dearly missed.”

The Wildcats next game will be on the road against Seckman, rounding out their season, May 8.