Lady Cats Season Over After Losses to Poplar, Malta
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The Harlem volleyball team gathers around Head Coach Kim Faulkinberry during the Lady Cats District 2B Tournament opening match with the Poplar Indians Friday afternoon. Harlem would see their season end with a pair of losses on the day.
nded Friday at the District 2B Tournament in Poplar. The Lady Cats fell in their tournament opener to the Poplar Indians 3-1 in the first match of the day. Later in the afternoon the Lady Cats were defeated by the Malta M-ettes 3-0 ending their season.
The Lady Cats swept the Indians twice during the regular season, including in the regular season finale just six days earlier. Tournaments are tricky and anything can happen. As it turns out Poplar played their best match of the season, and the Lady Cats didn't have their best stuff.
Poplar jumped out to an early lead in set number one 17-9 and never looked back if winning the opening set 25-15. Harlem played much better in set number two and were able to string together some nice runs.
Trailing 7-11 senior Ma'Lea Moore scored on a nice Kill, junior Emma Billmayer added a little dump moments later and following a set from senior Jessica King to senior Mylah Rider the Lady Cats were all even at 15-15. Poplar managed two more points down the stretch in winning set number two 25-23.
The Lady Cats found themselves in a must win situation and they answered the call. Billmayer scored on back to back serves late and junior Aaraya Mount served an Ace to give the Lady Cats a 25-20 set three win. Poplar found the momentum in set number four, defeating the Lady Cats 25-10 and sending them into a loser out contest later in the afternoon.
Harlem took on the Malta M-ettes in their second match of the day and were never able to generate any steady offense while struggling on defense as well. Malt took the opening set 25-13 and then coasted in set number two 25-15 to push Harlem to the edge. The Lady Cats played hard and fought for every point but in the end the M-ettes completed the sweep with a 25-19 third set win.
Harlem Head Coach, Kim Faulkinberry reflected on her team's tournament run, "We are disappointed. Every team has a down game once in awhile. Our down weekend just happened at the wrong time. We really struggled getting into either game."
The team struggled to string points together, "We couldn't establish any sort of momentum, so I think 'end of season' emotions started to creep in, which added to the pressure of trying to win. Poplar played their best game of the season, and they did it at the right time. While the girls are sad, I told them to hold their heads high, we did have a great season and I am very proud of each and every one of them!"
