It had the atmosphere of a state championship game, or a national championship game of sorts. Wildcat fans and Cathedral fans alike packed Jack Keefer Gymnasium last night to watch two of the state’s top volleyball teams showdown, in what was a match up neither side will soon forget. The #8 ranked Wildcats took on the defending IHSAA 4A state champions and defending national champions in the Cathedral Irish. The match went all the way to the final set as the two teams battled it out for supremacy last night, with the Wildcats ultimately knocking off the Goliath  by a score of 3-2.

The first set was a competitive one with neither team dominating throughout the set. The Wildcats stormed out of the gate in the set taking an early 10-6 lead, forcing the Irish to take a timeout. The timeout though was just was Cathedral needed as they came back to tie the set up at 22. LN ultimately was too much for the Irish though as they took their first set from the Irish in recent years, 26-24.

It was a similar story in the second set with the LN offense working early as they took a 19-15 lead. This time though the Irish rattled off a 10-3 three run to take the set.

In the third set, was a bloodshed one as the two teams battled to take control of the match. LN held a slight two point lead heading into a timeout, and that was all they needed to take the set 25-22.

The fourth set was one the Wildcats should probably try and forget. Cathedral took advantage LN’s mistakes in serving and at the net, and eventually doubled up the Wildcats 25-12, therefore tying the match 2-2 heading into the pivotal fifth set.

The fifth and final set was the exact opposite of the fourth set, with the Wildcats recognizing the Cathedral mistakes, and using them against them. LN took a 7-4 lead early in the set forcing Cathedral to take a timeout. LN took control and never looked back as they took the fifth set 15-10, sending the LN students into mayhem.

Students stormed the court in what was the first win for the Wildcats against Cathedral in over five years. When taking down Cathedral, the Cats were victorious in their fifth straight match on their home court.

This might not be the last these two teams see each other. Both LN and Cathedral share the same sectional which this year is being hosted at LN. Although the sectional draws have not been released, it’s sure to be a sectional to look forward to just based on the excitement from last night.

Final Box Score:

LN             26 22 25 12 15

Cathedral  22 25 22 25 10