Cougars can't hold on as Eagles soar

Connell tops Warden in four games

WARDEN - The Warden Cougars raced out to a first game victory but couldn't maintain their momentum as they fell to the Connell Eagles in four games.

Thanks in part to solid serving from junior Kacey Kisler, the Cougars jumped out to a 5-0 advantage early in the match's first game. Warden held the momentum early before holding off Connell for a 25-23 first game victory and a 1-0 advantage in the South Central Athletic Conference (SCAC) contest.

Warden head coach Jeff Kottong said the quick start was important to his team's first game victory.

"That was huge to take off on them and go up 5-0," he said. "That game was a confidence builder."

The Connell Eagles overcame the first game defeat to win three straight games to take the match and the SCAC victory.

The Eagles stopped the Cougars 25-22 in game two and 25-18 in game three before winning an intense, close fourth game.

Late in game four, the Cougars held a 20-11 lead over the Eagles and the match looked as if it would go to a fifth and deciding game. As Warden enjoyed the lead, the Eagles rallied and took a 24-23 lead over the Cougars.

With the game on the line, Kisler said she had confidence in her teammates and she didn't want to let them down.

"It was nerve-wracking," she said. "I was worried that I was going to be the one who messed up. I didn't want to carry that burden."

The Cougars rallied and tied the match at 24-24 before talking a 25-24 lead. With Warden serving for game point, the Eagles persevered and took three straight points from the Cougars to earn the 27-25 victory.

In the end, Kisler was proud of her teammates.

"The fact that we hung with them and we didn't give in, it was awesome," Kisler said.

Warden junior Emma Bisnett said she knew before the match her team would play united.

"We realized getting dressed tonight that we knew we loved each other," she said. "We worked together more tonight than we have in the past."

Ultimately, Warden couldn't hold off Connell's determination, Kottong said.

"Part of it is our confidence," Kottong said of Connell's rally. "Part of it was Connell's determination. They thought they weren't going to lose."

Following the loss, Kottong told his players he was proud of their effort.

"Connell is one of the big dogs. They are second in league and we played with them for four games," he said. "That was one of our best matches so far. I am proud of them."

Kottong's words will help carry the Cougars through the remainder of the season, Bisnett said.

"He told us he was proud of us," she said. "That was the best thing I've heard all season. It brought tears to my eyes."

Despite falling to 2-5 in SCAC play and 3-6 overall, Kottong was impressed with his team's performance.

"They played together as a team tonight. All the girls stepped it up," he said. "They showed their heart, that they wanted to win it. I could see it in their faces afterward, they cared."