The Wildcats win the first set, 25-23, but the momentum shifts dramatically when the Eagles take a 2-1 lead with a 25-19 triumph in the third set.

Saint Ignatius stands 6-3 on the season heading into Saturday's Brecksville-Broadview Heights Quad.

*Wildcats Varsity A Rugby played to a 14-14 tie against Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller on Wasmer Field Friday night.

By Eddie Dwyer

Ohio City - Saint Ignatius head volleyball coach Casey Marcelo didn't sugar coat the outcome of Friday night's match up with rival St. Edward.

Instead, Coach Marcelo gave the credit where it was do.

"They played a tremendous game, they showed a lot of heart out there," Coach Marcelo said of St. Edward, after the Eagles turned back the Wildcats by winning three consecutive sets in front of an enthusiastic and volleyball savvy crowd at Sullivan Gymnasium.

The well-documented Saint Ignatius versus St. Edward rivalry now includes the sport of volleyball, as the Wildcats and the Eagles are again looking to advance out of the region and into the state tournament. Two teams from each region advance and Coach Marcelo's 'Cats are pointing to what would be a sixth appearance in state competition. Saint Ignatius finished 19-8 last spring after losing to Lakota West, 3 sets to 1, in the state quarterfinals.

As for Friday night, Saint Ignatius, behind some outstanding student body support, captured the see-saw first set, 25-23. The veteran Wildcats were sparked by seniors Jeff Granger, Tim Hollis and Dan Mansilla. Mansilla was Mr. Clutch in his authoritative approach to the net as Saint Ignatius, overcoming some miscues with big plays, had the momentum in the early going.

That momentum went up for grabs in the second set.

A highlight-reel dig by Eagles senior Bobby Burkhart led to a 22-21 lead for St. Edward. Hollis brought some of the Saint Ignatius faithful to their feet when he came from the opposite side and slammed home a point that knotted things at 24.

The Eagles made the plays down the stretch of the second set, however, and evened the score at 1-1 behind the defense of senior Andy Schroeck and the Wildcats' inability to dig out a save. St. Edward also benefited from the leadership and spirited play of senior captain Patrick Fayen.

While the Eagles' 26-24 second-set victory had Mr. Momentum swinging from side to side, St. Edward did its best to convince him to stay on the visitors' bench.

After a smooth move at the net by senior Ian McKenna gave Saint Ignatius a 17-16 lead in the third set, St. Edward rode another impressive dig by Burkhart and the solid all-around play of 6-foot-3 junior Anthony Winter to 22-18 lead. Winter, who was a force all night, put the finishing touches on the 25-19 third-set victory.

"Our serving team was not there tonight," Coach Marcelo said. "But you know what, in a high level game like this it's two or three points that gets the rally. We were coming back and giving a hard run (in the fourth and final set). I think the boys played well, but St. Eds just played a little bit better than us tonight.

"We just have to clean up some things and we're going to be there, we're going to be there," Coach Marcelo continued. "I trust these boys."

St. Edward came out strong in the fourth set and moved to a 9-1 advantage. Following another powerful point by Winter and a net violation on the 'Cats, the Eagles led, 20-12.

While it was a tough hill to climb, Saint Ignatius was not about to call it a night. It is not in the Wildcats' nature to even think about such a thing.

With Hollis, McKenna and fellow seniors Mike Robertson and Greg Doherty leading the emotional charge, Coach Marcelo's 'Cats closed to 24-22 before Eagles senior Greg Keeler accounted for the final and decisive point of the night.

"Volleyball is about a lot of heart, and our boys wanted it bad," Coach Marcelo said. "We were focused and executed things we were doing in practice (down the stretch). Unfortunately, we fell a little short."

Congratulations to Saint Ignatius' junior varsity volleyball team, which evened its record at 4-4 by defeating St. Edward's jayvees, 25-4 and 25-22.