The Girls Varsity Volleyball Team faced off with the Ursuline Academy Bears for their senior night and fell in three sets, 2-1, Oct. 8.

The Wildcats trailed 11-8 about a third of the way through the first set thanks to missed serves.

“One or two missed serves are expected,” Ms. Deb Title, head coach, said. “Seven in a row hurts.”

This rough stretch prompted Coach Title to use her first timeout.

“Those missed serves were just weird,” Alexa McAndrew, outside hitter, said. “I think some of the nerves of senior night got to us.”

Despite the miscues, the Wildcats were able to storm back from a six-point deficit, coming up just short, dropping the first set, 25-22.

“We sped up the offense,” Coach Title said. “When we keep pass low and quick, we play our best.”

About halfway through the second set an army of Golden Guys formed a make-shift Catpound that seemed to give the Wildcats the momentum to surge to a victory in the second set, 25-22.

“The crowd is the seventh player on the court,” Coach Title said. “The crowd intensity also raised the girls intensity.”

The Wildcats kept it close in the winner-take-all third set, going back and forth, 8-8.

The Bears went on a 9-4 run, extending their lead, 17-12.

This run prompted another timeout for the Wildcats.

“Coach told us to keep our heads up,” McAndrew said. “She wanted us to keep playing hard.”

The Wildcats fought back after the timeout, cutting the lead to one, 24-23.

“Having the Golden Guys there was really cool,” McAndrew said. “Having that crowd helped us get back into the game.”

The Bears were able to hold on for the win, 25-23.

The Wildcats seemed over-matched by the Bears but stayed in the game forcing a third set and never letting the game get away from them.

“I think that made it a successful senior night.” Coach Title said. “I’m really proud of the girls. They showed a lot of heart.”