Tuesday, Aug. 27 the Kitty Kat volleyball team traveled to compete against the Shiner St. Paul Cardinals. Yorktown fell short, 25-19, 25-21, 25-14. Nobody likes to suffer a loss but head coach Ashtyn Henkes understands there is more to the game than the win/loss column. There are more ways than one to measure a team’s success. Henkes' philosophy involves evaluating the team's progress based on three factors: teamwork, personal growth, and skill development In set one, the varsity squad made a late surge but couldn’t close the gap. With the score 25-13, Sydnie Krueger hit from the right side earning a point for Yorktown. The Kitty Kats strung together a four point run with Palyn Koopmann recording two aces, bringing the score to 23-18. St. Paul was forced to call a timeout, however Yorktown stepped back onto the court unfazed. Middle hitter Carly Weischwill, killed the ball inching the team closer, 2319. Unfortunately, the Cardinal’s strong offense claimed the next two points, ending the set, 25-19.
Throughout the beginning of set two, the Yorktown squad was leading. Trailing by five, the Cardinals called timeout after the Kitty Kat team showed up with intensity and hustle, 7-2. At point nine, the set became tied and was a back and forth battle. Nina Villarreal dove out on the floor for a ball and Gracie Stehling put the ball down, ending the rally with a kill from middle, 12-12. Yorktown called time out when St. Paul pulled ahead by two, 18-16. The Cardinal’s strong outside hitter and aggressive offense garnered points for the opposing team therefore ending the set in another St. Paul victory, 25-21.
In set three the St. Paul team had momentum and began to string together long runs, 12-4. Refusing to give up, Krueger swung hard from the right side and prevented the Cardinals from scoring game point, 24-13. Malayshia Thomas aced her opponents before an outside kill ended the match, 25-14.
