As the host site for the girls volleyball Sectional 32, the Lady Titans welcomed the Mater Dei Lady Wildcats to their home court on Oct. 13, for the second round of tournament play. The Lady Titans found some success during their regular season with a record of 14-16 before heading into the postseason. In the Pocket Athletic Conference, the ladies finished 7-5, putting them sixth in the conference.
The game was a nailbiter at the start of the first match, as the Lady Titans and Lady Wildcats went back and forth scoring, keeping it tied through the first set, 10-10.
Later on, the girls were found scoreless during the set, as the Lady Wildcats were able to put up eight points in a row until the girls were able to put a stop against them. The Lady Wildcats were able to keep the pressure on the Lady Wildcats, winning the first set 25-17.
“Mater Dei was a very tough competition, and we knew before going into the game that it was going to be hard to beat [them],” senior Makenna Turner said. “We were playing very well in the first two sets, as we were able to hang on for as long as we could. They were able to find a way to score against us in ways that we could not stop.”
Throughout the second set, it was similar to the first. The Lady Wildcats kept ahead of the Titans, winning 25-18.
In the third and final set, the Lady Titans were ahead of the Wildcats then fell short, going scoreless after 14 points, losing 25-14. Mater Dei was able to sweep the Titans 3-0 and advance to the championship. In the Sectional championship, the Memorial Lady Tigers took home the title in three sets.
“It’s really hard knowing that we are done with volleyball being a senior,” senior Gabby Smitha said. “I wish we did not go out that way, but there is nothing that we can change now. We had many ups and downs throughout this season and I am very grateful for everything that my coaches and teammates have given me.”
During this season, Smitha hit a milestone of 1,000 career assists.
“Earning 1000 assists was a huge accomplishment that I have been looking forward to since freshman year,” she said.
Seniors Turner, Smitha, Abby Deal and Rhylane Bittner left the court for the last time, ending their high school volleyball careers.
“It was nice to be back on the sidelines one last time,” Emily Schmitt said. “It was hard seeing the girls’ season come to an end.”
