NEW CENTURY, Kan. — The magical season came to an end Saturday when the Patriots fell in the semifinals of the Gold Ball Showdown Series at the National Christian Homeschool Volleyball Championship to the Illinois Cru Blazers, 25-21, 25-18.
The Patriots (42-5) finish the year tied for third overall nationally and the Gold Ball winners in Class 6A. The third-place finish matches the best in school history, also accomplished in 2018.
The final point marked the end of the careers of nine seniors on the Patriots’ roster.
The Patriots were winners over the OKC Storm in the quarterfinal round, nabbing a three-set battle, 26-24, 18-25, 15-13.
In the 16U division, the JV squad (21-15-1) split its pair of matches on the day. They appeared headed for victory over the Shreveport Force in the opener, but the Force rallied to take the last two sets and seal a two-point win, 25-15, 23-25, 13-15.
That sent the Patriots to the consolation match of the Silver Ball Showdown Series, where they met the CRU Maroon Blazers of Big Rock, Ill. This was the same opponent the Patriots faced in their opening match of the NCHVC, and while the Blazers put up a stronger fight in the finale, the Patriots walked away with the victory, 25-16, 24-26, 15-7.
The 16U squad ends the year ranked seventh nationally.
The 14U team was also able to go out on a win. It began the day against a tough OKC Storm unit, falling in straight sets, 25-17, 25-19. The consolation match was a thriller, however. Facing the Little Rock Flames, the two teams traded sets before lining up for the decisive third stanza. By that time, other teams from the same clubs had gathered around the court, turning it into one of the loudest matches in the New Century Fieldhouse. The Patriots rallied to win the last set, 16-14.
Like the JV, the Patriots ended the year ranked seventh in 14U.
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