Tuesday, Nov 5 the Kitty Kats traveled to Yoakum to meet up with the Flatonia Lady Bulldogs in Bi-District play. Yorktown would fall short, 25-9, 25-18, and 25-23.
“It was not the outcome we wanted or hoped for, but I am so proud of the girls for believing in each other and listening to every bit of coaching I gave them. Flatonia is a great team and I wish them the best of luck,” Head Coach Ashtyn Henkes said.
Middle hitter Gracie Stehling swung, the ball deflected into the center of the court, giving the Kitty Kats their first point, 1-3. The Kats wouldn’t capitalize on the opportunity, missing their serve and then freeing a ball out of bounds, but Stehling was relentless, ending a long rally with a solo block for the Kats second point, 2-5. After scoring on an unforced error, Brilye Campbell aced the Lady Bulldogs to close in, 4-5. Avery Martin recorded a solo block, tying the match, 5-5. A hard hit from Sydnie Krueger from right side inched Yorktown closer, 6-7. After a run by the Bulldogs, Yorktown came out of the time-out aggressive, Martin hit crosscourt but Flatonia dug the ball and put it away to keep possession. Unforced errors added up against Yorktown. Following Yorktown’s second timeout, Martin’s tip was blocked out of bounds to bring Malayshia Thomas up to serve, 7-18. Thomas aced the Bulldogs, 8-18. The Kats had a hitting error before scoring on a dump by the setter, 9-23. Palyn Koopman’s serve was good but the team returned it for a score. Flatonia ended the set with a kill by their middle, 25-9.
In set two, Flatonia recorded a hitting error and a double contact by their setter to bring the score to 2-8. Martin’s hard hit brought the score to 3-8. Trailing 6-12 and after a timeout, Carly Weischwill challenged a hitter when Flatonia received a net call, 7-12. A hit by Claire Person was passed out of bounds, 8-14. A surprise dump off of a ball passed by Koopman scored a second time to bring the Kats into double digits, 10-16. Flatonia recorded a hitting error and a free ball hit the floor after a hard hit was dug by Libero Nina Villarreal to force Flatonia to call time-out, 12-18. After killing the ball the Bulldogs had miscommunication between their setter and hitter, 13-19. With Koopman serving the Kats had a long rally that included a block by Weischwill and Person that unfortunately was able to be passed up. The rally ended with a double call against the Kats setter, 13-20. Thomas had a back row attack kill before Flatonia errored hitting. 1520. Another unforced error inched the Kitty Kats closer, 16-22. Flatonia served out of bounds and Stehling utilized an overpass opportunity with solid net play, 18-23. The game concluded with a serving error and hitting error by the Kats, 18-25.
The Kitty Kats scored during set three with a solo block by Stehling, 1-2. Krueger killed the ball out of serve receive, bringing Person back to serve. A hitting error by their opponent tied the set, 4-4. Yorktown hit out of bounds to give the ball back to Flatonia but Martin killed on the following play. Stehling served and Flatonia had an unforced error giving the Kitty Kats their first lead of the match, 6-7. Stehling aced to extend the lead before the Bulldogs scored off a hit. Back to back hitting errors forced Flatonia to call timeout, 9-6. After leading 14-10 unforced errors allowed the Bulldogs back in the match and a timeout was called with the set tied, 1414. Krueger nailed a line shot to score, giving possession back to Yorktown, 15-14. Stehling aced tying the set, 17-17. Tip kill by Weischwill, 20-21. Person scored from left side, 21-22. Person scored again but this time with a push that dropped, 22-23. Down 22-24, Yorktown called time and iced the server, 2324. Flatonia ended the match, 23-25.
The Kitty Kats concluded the season with a 21-14 overall record. “Getting to watch the team grow this season as volleyball players and become such a close knit team was rewarding for me to watch. This was such an enjoyable group and I am so proud of the seniors that showed the underclassmen how to be leaders and to never give up,” Henkes said.
