North Union’s Josie Duncan sets the ball to the opposite side of the court during a Central District semifinals match against Newark Catholic at Mount Vernon Nazarene University on Tuesday. The Lady Cats’ season ended with a 3-0 loss to the Green Wave.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
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Every team understands as it travels down the path of the post-season, the contests only get harder.
For the Lady Cats of the North Union, the end of the line came in the Central District semifinals against the Green Wave of Newark Catholic.
NU fell 3-0 on Tuesday at Mount Vernon Nazarene University.
North Union, on the heels of a come-from-behind victory in the sectional finals over Madison Plains, went to Ariel Arena with high hopes of keeping its season alive against third-seeded Newark Catholic. However, the Green Wave had a heavy hand that the No. 9 Lady Cats could not overcome.
“They have some great hitters,” said North Union head coach Peg Curts. “They are really well put together. Typically we can shut down two great hitters, but ultimately they moved the ball around a lot.”
Those great hitters were able to jump out to a solid lead in the first set as the Lady Cats struggled to find their rhythm on the big stage.
“I think they (the Lady Cats) started out with a little apprehension,” Curts said. “We didn’t get into our groove as quickly as I wanted them to do.”
Those apprehensions led to the Lady Cats being down after a 25-12 first-set loss.
North Union found its groove in the second set, keeping the score tight.
Grace Brandt and Journey Blevins got their hands on the ball to keep the set tight at 14-9 midway through the battle.
“We were finally able to get some hands on some blocks,” said Curts. “I told the girls I don’t need you to stuff block, I just need you to slow the ball down a little bit so our defense can work with it.”
Slowing down the Green Wave started to pay off North Union toward the end of the second set.
The Lady Cats rallied from an eight-point defict and pulled to within 23-22 after a Blevins smash down the middle of the court.
“It got to be about the end of the second set when they thought they were really playing our style of volleyball,” said Curts.
Even with the Lady Cats finding that style, they could not overcome the Green Wave as they fell, 25-22.
With the season on the line, North Union was able to stick with Newark Catholic point-for-point halfway through the third set.
However, a few bobbles by NU’s hitters let the Green Wave to stretch their lead to 20-15. T
The Lady Cats struggled to recover as they lost the third and final set, 25-16, to end their season.
Even with the loss, Curts said it was a good season.
“I said to the girls in the locker room, when you lose it stings,” she said. “No one likes to leave on a loss. It is really hard for the seniors being their last night.
“They have accomplished so much this season and I am so proud of them.”
The Lady Cats ended their season as co-champs in their first year in the Central Buckeye Conference with a 19-6 record.