CAPE ELIZABETH — The No. 8 Kennebunk volleyball team’s season came to an end on Monday night as the Rams dropped a 3-0 decision to No. 1 Cape Elizabeth in the Class B quarterfinals.
The host Capers would win the sets 25-11, 25-9 and 25-19 to take down the Rams.
“I actually expected it to be a lot tighter and I thought that we would win this game. We came in here with the idea that we were going to beat this team and move on. Unfortunately, Cape was ready and they did a really good job. They’re a great team,” said Kennebunk head coach Michael Morrison.
In the first set, Cape Elizabeth’s Kalie Manning served up six points and Bridget Heggie had a kill to secure the victory.
During the second game, Jaya McClure scored eight service points to produce the Caper’s win.
The third set was the most competitive game between the Capers and the Rams.
Kennebunk took their first lead 4-2 after Leah Bolduc earned four service points for the Rams. The lead was short lived after Cape Elizabeth’s Megan Connelly killed a long volley. After Connelly’s kill, Tess Dolan served up five points and grabbed the lead for the Capers.
“I think the ladies were fighting pretty well today. They played a lot better in the third game then they did in the first game. We just need to serve receive better. Cape Elizabeth is a good serving team and we failed on the passing in that aspect,” said Morrison.
Even though Kennebunk was knocked out of the playoffs early, Morrison was thrilled with his team’s performance this season.
“I would define this season as a win. I’m a new coach and I tried to change a lot of things. The girls worked hard, they listened to what I had to say. I think overall it was a good season. You can’t change things overnight, but hopefully I can change things in the future and we’ll be the team to beat soon,” said Morrison.
Morrison knows he will have to replace some great players next year, but the Kennebunk coach is confident his program is on the rise.
“Next year, we’re just going to work and try to replace the seniors that we’re losing. Unfortunately, because we’re losing some great girls. Once we figure out what we need to build on, we’ll just start building on that. Next year we’re going to come back and go a lot deeper into the playoffs,” said Morrison.
— Sports Writer Sienna Barstow can be reached at sbarstow@journaltribune.com or at 780-9018. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.