Abbeville Lady Wildcats fall in volleyball

 The Abbeville Lady Wildcats dropped a 3-1 decision to the Crowley Ladies on senior night Monday, 18-25, 23-25, 25-22, 10-25.
 Abbeville (5-13, 0-3) lost the first set, dropped a close second set, came from behind to win the third set, and then ran out of gas in the final set.  Head coach Madison Trahan felt the effort wasn’t at the level it needs to be for the Lady Cats to win.
   “The effort was better,” Trahan said.  “We could have definitely played harder, but it was better than it was last week.”
  Even though the Lady Cats lost the match, seniors Keria Gordon and Gracie Armand were all smiles after playing their final home game.  
 “We’re definitely going to miss them,” Trahan continued.  “I wish I had more time with them.  We’ll take care of them these last few games.”
   In the opening set, Crowley jumped out to a 7-2 lead before the Lady Cats tied the score at 11.  The Ladies then used a 10-2 run to take control at 21-13 before winning the set by seven to take a 1-0 match lead.
 The two teams went toe-to-toe the entire second set.  The biggest lead was three points, when Crowley led 22-19.  The Lady Cats tied it at 22 before getting outscored 3-1 down the stretch to fall behind 2-0.
  The Ladies raced to a 13-2 lead in the third set before Abbeville battled back to knot the score at 22.  They closed the set on a 23-9 run to pull within 2-1.
  Ryleigh Bessard’s all-around game was instrumental in the Lady Cats’ rally. The sophomore knocked down several kills and scored four-straight points with her serve. On defense, she altered shots at the net and saved several balls with her hustle, hitting the floor multiple times.
 “Last year was her first year playing,” Trahan said.  “She’s going to play club this year, so she’s only going to get better.”
  Crowley jumped out to a 17-3 advantage in the fourth set to take firm control.  The Lady Cats got as close as 5-15 before Crowley went on a 10-5 run to end the match. 
Abbeville traveled to St. Martinville on Tuesday for their final district contest.  They wrap up the regular season on the road next week at Lake Charles College Prep on Monday and at Morgan City on Thursday.