It was close, but no cigar for the second straight time Thursday night when the Wayland High School volleyball team lost to Grand Rapids South Christian.

This time it hurt even more, as the very tight five-set loss ended the Wildcats’ season in the district championships.

Wayland was the only team in the O-K Gold Conference really make the Sailors really sweat during the regular season, taking them to five sets and eventually falling 15-13 in the final decisive game. Thursday night’s district finale was almost the same.

South prevailed in the first two games, 25-20 and 25-16, but the Wildcats roared back to claim the third and fourth sets, 25-21 and 25-22. South Christian then claimed the Class B district title with a 15-12 victory in that decisive fifth game.

It turned out to be the last game for seniors Sydney Ritz, Kamie Swan and Lyndie VanMalsen.

In kills, Taryn Coughlin and Kamie Swan had 13 Sydney Ritz 11 Chloe Coughlin nine,
Ritz had two blocks, Leigha Morse two blocks and 42 assists and Lyndie VanMalsen 38 digs.

Wayland, under second-year coach Nicki Cardosa, finished its campaign with a more than respectable 22-15-4 overall record. The Wildcats are a very young team with lots of freshmen and sophomore contributors.

South Christian sailed through the league season undefeated and now will head to the regionals next week.

PHOTOS:  Wildcats get excited during their thrilling comeback, including Leigha Morse (9), Kamie Swan (10), Taryn Coughlin (11) and Abby Merice (2).

Kamie Swan   Leigha Morse

(Photos courtesy of Kenny Ritz)