LadyCats End Volleyball Season with Loss to Archer City
November 03, 2011
The Newcastle LadyCat volleyball season came to an end in Windthorst Tuesday night as the Archer City Lady Wildcats won the bi-district playoff match in four very close games - 19-25, 25-21, 23-25, and 23-25. The LadyCat season record was 18 wins and 14 losses. The LadyCats were in every game and came back in game one from an eight point deficit but they just couldn't seem to keep the momentum long enough to put away the Lady Wildcats.
Volleyball is one of the last remaining UIL sports to resist a move to the two division arrangement for larger and smaller schools. And this game was a prime example of the reason why volleyball needs to change as well. The LadyCats participated in district 10-A with other schools of similar size (approximately 50 high school students) but when it comes to the playoff pairings, the LadyCats were pitted against district 7-A districts that all compete in 11-man football districts and have over 150 students in their high schools. A 3-1 difference just doesn't seem fair. Take a look at the UIL volleyball playoff brackets and the inequity of the system becomes all to obvious! It is rare that a small, 6-man school has the same opportunity to advance in the state volleyball playoffs.
The LadyCats started game two in a 2-6 hole before they decided to make a game of it with a 6 point run to take their first lead. That lead didn't last long because Archer came roaring back with a 6 point run of their own. With the score at 8-11 the LadyCats came back and took the lead at 14-11 and never relinquished the lead. The LadyCats actually could have ended the game at 24-18 but Archer came back to score 3 to end the game at 25-21.
Game three had the LadyCats roaring out of the first serve and established a 9-5 lead before the Lady Wildcats made their move and tied the score at the 12-12 mark. From that point on it was back and forth one point at a time for each team. With the score tied 17-17 the Lady Wildcats built up a 5 point lead - 17-22. The LadyCats came back within 1 point at 21-22 and then the game nearly ended with a 2 point push by Archer City. But even at 21-24, the LadyCats would not quit and with the score at 23-24 it looked like we might be tied at 24 and have to win by 2 points. Regretfully, Archer City's strong hitter, Brittney Griffith, pounded one back down about five feet from the net to give game three to the Lady Wildcats.
Game four looked like it was going our way too when the LadyCats built a nice 9-3 lead. The Lady Wildcats just chipped away at that lead and finally tied the game at 16-16. Once again it was back and forth with the game being tied several times all the way to 23-23. But, as fate would have it, Brittney Griffith would once again decide to take matters into her own hands and game four ended just as game three 23-25 in favor of Archer City. The fans were treated to four really good games of volleyball but the result was just not the way we had intended it to be.
I hate to say it but I think these girls have spoiled us. I know they have me. For the past six years of their sports careers they have not lost very many games regardless of the sport and we are just accustomed to them winning. That makes losing a close match like this one very hard to swallow. It has been sheer enjoyment watching them play and develop into the team that they have become. Sadly, volleyball is over, but be not despaired - basketball is now in full swing and the first LadyCat game will be next Tuesday versus the always tough Albany Lady Lions. Come out and support the LadyCats as they move from the volleyball court to the basketball court! They deserve the best support we can give them!
