The Weber State University volleyball team finished up its last match of the 2012 season with a win at Eastern Washington University.
The Wildcats defeated the Eagles on the road in four sets with scores of 27-25, 25-17, 23-25 and 25-22.
The opening first set came to a close as WSU was able to get the final leg up on EWU after a few extra points. WSU won the first set with a score of 27-25.
The second set proved to be a solid win for the Wildcats as they passed through to a finish of 25-17.
WSU jumped out quickly during the third set and placed a lead at 19-11, but the Eagles put on a show and outplayed the Wildcats to the finish. EWU won the set with a score of 23-25.
The fourth and final set of the game came down to the end, but the Wildcats were able to put a solid stamp on the victory to close out the season after a game-winning kill from WSU senior Caitlin Penrod.
Sophomore outside hitter Audrey Biggs led WSU. She threw down 15 kills during the game and hit a percentage of .250. She also added a career-tying seven digs on the night.
Other notable contributions for the Wildcats came from freshman Audrey Gee, who placed a career-high 10 kills with a hitting percentage of .692.
The three Wildcat seniors — Penrod, Dama Cox and Laurel Bodily — gave solid play for their final games. Cox, a right side hitter, had a season-high nine blocks and seven kills for the Wildcats. Penrod, a setter, finished with 48 assists, five digs and three blocks. Bodily, the team libero, added 16 digs and three service aces.
“It was great to end the season on a win,” Gee said. “(Head Coach Tom Peterson) always tells us that we are Weber State, and Weber State is a team that finishes strong, and that we always finish strong. Throughout the season, we have had kind of a difficult time doing that. But ending the season with a win means there is nowhere to go but up from here.”
While they said it can be a sad experience, many Wildcat team members are taking the season’s end as an opportunity to get better.
“It’s a little bittersweet,” Biggs said. “I think everyone was a little bit ready for a bit of a break. I think we’re all really excited about what the offseason has to offer and what we can improve on until next year.”
Cox, Bodily and Penrod have played their final games for the Wildcats, and WSU team members said it will be a sentimental experience when they leave.
“I am definitely going to miss our seniors — the talent, the court savvy and the personalities, for sure,” Gee said. “I adore Caitlin’s work ethic, Dama’s personality and attitude on the court, and Laurel’s savvy and her skills and knowledge of the court. They are definitely going to be missed — all three of them.”
While the seniors will be missed, Bigg said, the Wildcats know they need to keep going.
“We’re definitely going to miss them,” she said. “They were a huge part of our team with their leadership and their skills — that’s going to be something that’s going to be greatly missed. But we’re going to look forward with what we have and stick with what’s been given us and just keep moving forward.”
At the end of the season, the team looks to progress and become better, knowing no season can happen unless there is backup from supporters.
“I just want to say thanks to everyone who came to our matches or who watched them online,” Gee said. “It’s so much more fun with a crowd there . . . and we just want to say thanks to the fans that come and support us.”
