Tiger Cubs close season at sectional

WEST TERRE HAUTE -- After winning the first set of its opening sectional match against Edgewood, 25-21, Greencastle's volleyball team thought it was going to sweep the Mustangs in three and move on.

It didn't happened.

The Mustangs came back and won the next three sets 25-19, 25-20, 25-21 and ended the Tiger Cubs' 2009 season and Trish Lowe's high school coaching career.

"Honestly they're a better team than they were the first time we played them," Lowe said about Edgewood. "They had a couple players hit the ball unlike the way they did the first time we played them."

One of the players Lowe was referring two was Hannah Rommel. She was a thorn in the Tiger Cubs' side in the last three sets, especially the fourth set. Her jump serve and attack power caught the Greencastle defense off guard, resulting in some relatively quick points and before the Tiger Cubs knew it they were down 19-12.

But the Tiger Cubs didn't roll over and die. They clawed their way back into the set and cut the Mustangs' lead down to one, 22-21, thanks to some impressive defensive work in the backcourt and along the net.

But it wasn't enough. One kill from Sarah Ratliff, two from Rommel and Edegwood walked off the court with a 3-1 win.

"Rommel did not hit the ball the way she hit it tonight when we played them before," Lowe said. "I'm not saying that one person can beat you.

"I think we played pretty well tonight," Lowe added. "We rallied back in the fourth game and we just missed some dumb serves earlier and did some dumb things"

The Tiger Cubs had a solid grip in the third set and led 16-10 at one point. But a couple of errors turned the momentum towards the Mustangs and they went on a 15-3 run thanks to Rommel's jump serve and Courtney Bowman's attacks on the net.

In the second set, Greencastle came out flat and found itself behind the eight ball for most of the set until it tied the contest at 13-all and then took the lead at 15-13 two serves later. But the Mustangs retook the lead with a 3-0 run and stayed out front.

"This team wasn't a super talented team, but I'm proud of them," Lowe said. "They gave me what they had all season long and they worked hard and played hard. They didn't want to lose. They tried their hardest out there and I'm proud of them accomplishment and achievements this year.

"Now it's time for someone else to come in and maybe it's time for these players to get some new perspective and traditions. And maybe that will make a difference in the players that are coming back," Lowe added.

Greencastle finished the season 7-23 on the season and 3-3 in the West Central Conference and say goodbye to Kayla Nobles and Jordyn Lewis.

At West Vigo

Edgewood 21 25 25 25

Greencastle 25 19 20 21

Digs -- Nobles 29, Birt 16, Lewis 22, Bennett 17, Phillips 14, Samuels 29, Amis 4, Buckner 9, R. Amis 5, Smotherman 3, Beck 7

Kills -- Nobles 6, Lewis 3, Bennettt 4, Phillips 1, Samuels 9, B. Amis 8

Blocks -- Samuels 14, B. Amis 14, R. Amis 4