Volleyball and Roller-Coasters

Following Orangefield’s volleyball team this year has been similar to riding a roller-coaster. The team has had slow, steady climbs, fast turns, stomach turning drops, and surprises around each corner.

Orangefield began their district run with an impressive 3-0 start.  The third win came at home against the cross-bayou rival Bridge City. This was the most intense, high energy game of the season up to that point. It was “Dig Pink” night in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness. The Orangefield Gym had more energy that night than I had seen at any point in the history of the new gym. The coaster was climbing high.

Then the team traveled to Silsbee. That night, Silsbee played nearly flawless volleyball. This was the first coaster drop of the season, steep and fast. The Lady Cats fall to 3-1.

Orangefield came back the next game at home against the Hampshire Fannet Lady Horns and played good volleyball to finish the first half of the season at 4-1; leading the district. The coaster is on level ground on the back track and running smooth.

Round two starts similar to round one. Two road wins and momentum building for the re-match with Bridge City at their home gym. The coaster is still running smooth and building momentum.

Orangefield arrives at Bridge City on a Tuesday night. The atmosphere has changed from the first game. All of the energy moved to the Bridge City side on their home court. Bridge City sweeps Orangefield in three sets; evening the score on the year. The coaster just took another steep dive.

Three days later the Lady Tigers from Silsbee roll into town and Orangefield is looking for a split on the season. The Lady Cats played that night as if they were on a mission and swept the Lady Tigers in three sets to win the match and set themselves up for a “Winner Wins the District” final match of the season against the Lady Longhorns in Hampshire. The coaster is rolling good.

The Lady Cats were derailed at Hamshire-Fannett, Tuesday, losing in three, but not going down without a fight in the final seconds. H-F took the last game 30-28.

The coaster pulls back into the station to start another ride as the Lady Cards and Cats battle it out for the second and third spots in the playoffs. Time and place had not been determined by press time.