The Wildcats beat Quince Orchard Cougars 3-0 on Tuesday, Oct. 11 in their annual Dig Pink game, with all proceeds going to the Side Out Foundation and team members wearing pink jerseys instead of traditional green.
The Wildcats breezed through the first and second sets, 25-15 and 25-17 respectively. Throughout the game, the team managed to block the Cougars hits well.
“I think our block game was really consistent, so that helped us get more points on defense,” sophomore outside hitter Claire Kuemmerle said.
Head coach Jackie Krampf echoed the praise of the team’s blocking.
“I thought our blocking at the net was outstanding. [We also] did a great job on holding the serve, and our passing was better than it’s been,” Krampf said.
The third set looked to be a repeat of the first and second sets with the Wildcats racing to a 15-5 lead led by the consistent serve of sophomore outside hitter Stella Lichter. However, a resurgent Cougar team won 17 of the next 24 points, leveling the set at 22-22.
“I think we lose points when we don’t communicate and there is hesitation on the ball. When our communication is on, our game is on. [Quince Orchard] also started serving really well, they were making their serves more in the third set,” Krampf said.
Two well played points gave the Wildcats two match points, which they converted on their second attempt. Kuemmerle hit the game winning kill, painting the lines for an unreturned hit.
The Wildcats were 4-4 before Tuesday’s game, while the Cougars had a 5-3 record. The Wildcats beat BCC Barons on Sept. 29, 3-1, before falling to both Wootton and Churchill in straight sets.
With only five more games to go until the end of the season, the now 5-4 Wildcats are looking to finish the season strong. The team next faces Whitman (3-6) at home on Thursday, Oct. 13 before going away to face Seneca Valley away next Tuesday, Oct. 18.
Although all 25 high schools will play in the post-season playoffs, depending on how well the Wildcats play, a high seed could garner them a first round bye.