By DOUG DONNELLY

ERIE – Whiteford’s volleyball team has seven sophomores. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central’s defending state championship volleyball team has seven seniors.

That was one of the major differences Thursday as the Bobcats fell in three sets to the Kestrels, 25-10, 25-13, 25-9 .

“I’ll be disappointed if they don’t win the state championship,” Whiteford coach Buffy Ruddy said after the match. “They have great ball control and make very few errors. They just keep coming at you.” 

SMCC jumped out to an early lead in the first set, then steadily kept the pressure on Whiteford before closing it out. Abbie Costlow had nine aces and Miss Volleyball candidate Mikayla Haut 10 kills for the Kestrels.

The match was the final one for Bobcat seniors Kyleigh Borowicz and Paige Thomas. Borowicz is a four-year starter.

“Kyleigh has done tremendous things for our program,” Ruddy said. “She has a great attitude. She’s a steady player and a great student. Her and Paige are great athletes who love to play sports and compete.”

In Thursday’s match, Borowicz had 10 kills and Thomas three. Aly VanBrandt had eight digs and Alaina Andrews had 15 assists.  

The Bobcats close the season 7-11.

“We are young,” Ruddy said. “We have seven sophomores. I’m looking forward to what they can do in the future.”