With the growth over the season and despite their loss of all three sets, the Wildcats have showcased growth as a team, according to head coach Kolby Andrews.

“They evolved over the season and the girls did a good job,” Andrews said. “They did their jobs to the best of their abilities tonight and I’m proud of them for that.”

Starting off, Kaila Girard served the ball to initiate the game.

Olivia Ryan followed with a sharp attack on the Petoskey Northmen. This brought the score to 3-2 for Alpena.

News Photo by Cassandra VanHorn Alpena’s volleyball team celebrates a point in a match against Petoskey on Tuesday. The Wildcats fell short in three sets, losing to the Northmen in the district finals.

With the points going back and forth for the first set, Alpena celebrated the points they received against their opponents.

A set by Grace Cameron followed by a tip by Kaila Girard gave the Wildcats another point.

Despite their efforts, at the end of the first set, the score was 25-18 favoring Petoskey.

“This first set of the district match against Petoskey we knew we had to play the best match of the season and they came out and it really stuck with them,” Andrews said.

Petoskey started off with a lead in the second set. However, a hit by Reaghan Fitzpatrick caused the Alpena Wildcats to gain back the ball.

News Photo by Cassandra VanHorn Ashlyn Gray receives the ball in a game against Petoskey on Tuesday. Alpena lost the district game, rounding out their season.

Emily VanHorn, Ashlyn Gray, and Laura Poli ran the defense against Petoskey’s serve.

Poli scored point after point on her serve catching up to Petoskey’s high lead, but was unable to grab the lead putting the score at 22-17.

After the Northmen got two aces and the Wildcats fumbled a point, Petoskey officially took the set with a score of 25-17.

In the third set, Petoskey took the first two points and the Wildcats took the point that followed.

Madelynn Cameron served up an ace for the Wildcats.

Soon after, Alpena fell short to Petoskey and lost points struggling to stop their opponents.

Lilly Rospierski gained possession for Alpena again. And, with another ace, this time from Kiera Prue, the Alpena Wildcats gained more points.

As Paige Samp and Rospierski received Petoskey’s serves, VanHorn and Gray saved the ball from going out of bounds, but Alpena couldn’t quite keep up.

With an ace from Petoskey, Alpena stumbled short of their opponents with a score of 25-11 for Petoskey in the third set.

When asked about the seniors on the team, Andrew said, “I always encourage them to learn from what they take away from this season and to grow as leaders.”