The Cardinals volleyball team bounced back from a first-set loss to claim a big win over Paola and clinch a Frontier League title Tuesday night.
It wrapped up a season where the Cardinals bounced back from a tough schedule to put together one of the team’s best regular seasons.
“We were hungry for it,” senior Arianna Etter said.
The Cardinals finished the season undefeated against league opponents. They will bring a 25-10 record into the postseason.
“Winning the league was the first on our to-do list this season, and so we’ve been fighting all season long,” head coach Brooke Hopper said. “It felt really good, and it was really exciting to be able to come in and accomplish a goal tonight.”
After losing the first set, the Cardinals bounced back for a strong second set to even up the score. The third set was the hinge point, with both teams winning big points to keep it close. The Cardinals were able to squeak out the win after a few tie-breaking points and used that momentum to carry them to the four-set win.
“We just really, really wanted that win,” senior Bailey Hammerschmidt said. “We just played a lot of really hard teams, and we really just wanted to show the skills and stuff we picked up in those games.”
Etter said it felt deserving to win the league title after the hard work the team had put in. Senior Karis Mason said it was even more special to clinch the title on senior night.
The Cardinals said challenging games like Tuesday’s will help them be prepared for the postseason. Last year, the Cardinals suffered a tough home playoff loss, and players have said they’re determined to play their best to avoid the same fate this year.
“We definitely improved ourselves in that game,” senior Kennedy Stadalman said. “And the atmosphere of the gym was incredible.”
Six seniors were recognized before Tuesday’s game: Etter, Stadalman, Hammerschmidt, Mason, Lianna Mueting and Shyanne Hall.
“I love my team,” Mason said. “I feel like I’ve built such a great connection with them this year, and especially the senior girls.”
Reach reporter Cuyler Dunn at [email protected]
