It wasn't exactly as planned

It wasn't exactly as planned.

The Greencastle volleyball team lost to Sullivan in the semifinal match of the Class 3A Greencastle Sectional Tournament Saturday, 25-21, 11-25, 25-17, 26-24. However, after the match coach Trish Lowe was still proud of her team.

"It was a great year," Lowe said. "They have nothing to be embarrassed about when they come out of that locker room."

Greencastle finished the season 20-7, placing second in the West Central Conference. Although the Tiger Cubs were looking to advance into regional competition Saturday, Lowe wasn't about to take anything away from the season.

"This was a great season for us," Lowe said. "It was a lot of fun, and honestly, this was a great bunch of kids to work with."

The Tiger Cubs battled hard for four games. After losing the first game, 25-11, Greencastle bounced back to win the second game easily, 24-11. Although the Tiger Cubs looked like a rejuvenated team, Sullivan came back fighting, winning the final two games.

"Sullivan definitely improved from the last time we played them," Lowe said. "They were the team that played the best today."

Greencastle defeated Sullivan on Aug. 24 in four games. However, Sullivan looked like a new team Saturday. After months of preparation, the Golden Arrows were ready for the rematch.

"Anytime you play a team again, that kind of thing can happen," Lowe said. "We were aware of that. We knew they'd be good."

The first game was a close contest throughout. The match started tied, 5-5, went to 11-11 and 15-15, before Sullivan started a run. Greencastle got as close as 22-20, but lost three out of the next four points. Greencastle was down, but not out.

The second game never even got close. The Tiger Cubs came out with a 10-3 lead. That turned into a 17-4 lead, before the score was 21-5. Sullivan battled back to win six out of the final ten points, but it was too little too late for the Golden Arrows.

"I just think we started doing some things better the second game," Lowe said. "And I think they kind of let down a little bit."

In the third game, Sullivan was the team that looked fresh. Although the game was tied at seven-all, the Golden Arrows won 12 out of the next 14 points to take a commanding lead. From there, Sullivan never looked back, winning the game, 25-17.

The Golden Arrows started strong the fourth game, but Greencastle battled back. Sullivan took a 19-15 lead, but the Tiger Cubs refused to give up. A Tabitha Wilson serving run, combined with aggressive play at the net by Lauren Robertson and Olivia Miller closed the game, 22-all. The game was 24-all, before Sullivan took two straight points, ending the Tiger Cubs' season.

Lowe knows Greencastle will be strong next year, even though seniors Alysa Hile and Stefanie Masten played their last match in a Tiger Cub uniform.

"They improved as a team and we still be good next year," Lowe said. "The seniors were awesome leaders. Stephanie and Alysa were leaders off and on the court, and they helped make it fun. This is a nice, hard working group of individuals."

At Greencastle

Class 3A Sectional

Sullivan 25 11 25 26

Greencastle 2125 17 24

Greencastle finished the season with an overall record of 20-7.