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Cats Lose Tough Battle To Red Knights

Westminster and Incarnate Word faced off on senior night, a game, which saw seven lead changes and a last set that went past the standard 25-point mark. But it was the Red Knights (13-13) who captured both stanzas to secure a 2-0 victory (25-17, 31-29). The Cats (11-12-1) play again Thursday night, facing the host Affton Cougars (9-14) at 5:15 p.m.

Sophomore Avery Engelmeyer picked up another double-digit kill game, combining for 11 of WCA’s 20 kills, while also sporting two aces and a block. Swinging .647 from the line, Engelmeyer continued her offensive dominance registering two kills in match point situations. Meegan (senior) and Madeline Williams (sophomore) were joined by Hilary Hightower (junior) atop the blocks ranking, each registering two or more rejections at the net. Madeline Williams claimed six kills, with four coming in the final set.  The sophomore duo of Engelmeyer and Williams once again powered the Westminster offense contributing to 20 of the Cats overall 46 points scored.

The first set saw a strong WCA opening surge, but it was an early lead that did not last.  Despite an 8-4 run, which included five Westminster kills (Engelmeyer 3, Galakatos 1, Madeline 1), the Red Knights capitalized on two Wildcat errors and an Incarnate Word kill to take their first lead–one that would never be given up. WCA’s final charge came when trailing 19-11 fresh off of a timeout. The Cats followed by winning six of the next 9 points powered by dueling Englemeyer put-aways and aces. Incarnate Word’s Erin Hoener then took over. The Red Devil’s outside hitter assisted on two kills and took care of two more herself as Incarnate Word grabbed a 25-17 victory.

The number of tied scores crept into double digits in the second, as a tightly-contested set unfolded. Englemeyer and Williams (M) each went off in the second frame, terminating a joint ten of fifteen swings.  Junior Erin Galakatos filled the void of the concussed Elisabeth Sems by contributing greatly to the Wildcat’s late 6-0 run, with three kills and two blocks.  Her efforts allowed the Wildcats to tie the Knights for the first time in twenty-four points scored.  The final stalemate came at 29-29 before two consecutive Incarnate Word kills ignited a 2-0 Red Devils run to take the last set.

On behalf of the SportingWCA staff, best of wishes go out to seniors: Macy Catlett, Meegan Williams, and Lane Penberthy on impressive Westminster Varsity Volleyball careers.