Even though the Wright City Volleyball team came away with a tough 3-set loss to Orchard Farm on Wednesday, coach Amy Geurin liked what she saw from her team.

After struggling mightily defensively in the open match of the season, Geurin saw her team come back from a 10-0 deficit in the second game to close within two points of Orchard Farm in the 25-20, 22-25, 20-25 loss.

That never-give-up attitude will pay dividends as the season rolls on.

“That’s the first thing I said in the locker room after the game,” Geurin said of the comeback. “They could have very easily rolled over and died and easily could have given up. But they fought hard to come back in the second game and fought hard in the third game, as well.”

In the first set, the Lady Wildcats used a 5-0 scoring run off of sophomore Donavan Holmes’ serve for a 12-6 lead. DeAsha Briner had two kills in the run.

Orchard Farm fought back to close within two – 14-12 –  but a big kill down the line by junior Taylor Brewington gave Wright City a bit of breathing room.

When Orchard Farm threatened to climb back into the set again, Briner got up above the net for a huge stuff block to get to game point and put the Lady Wildcats up 24-20.

Briner had the hot hand in the first game for Wright City, with four kills and 10 digs.

Geurin said the outside hitter is a great leader for the Lady Wildcats and has great potential. 

“She’s very much everywhere,” Geurin said. “She wants to play the ball and she does well when she gets there.”

Wright City found itself in a 10-0 hole in the second set. Orchard Farm’s Skylyr Leake had two serves in the run. 

But the Lady Wildcats fought back and eventually came within two – 18-16. In the comeback, junior setter Alexis Siefert found the floor with her serve twice.

In the deciding set, Orchard Farm took an early lead, but Wright City tied it with a service ace by Briner and eventually took an 8-6 lead off a block by Brewington.

Orchard Farm would not be denied, though. After an ace by Wright City’s Anna Murri gave the Lady Warriors a 13-12 lead, Orchard Farm’s Genevieve Rodriguez took control of the match from the service line with two straight aces to take the lead for good.

“I think our defense improved night and day from the game yesterday,” Geurin said. “Our defense was greatly improved. We went for the ball and trusted each other to go for the ball and get it up. We played to the whistle and that got us some points in the end.”

For Wright City, Briner led the way with six kills and 13 digs. Senior Amy Janowski had seven kills and 10 digs. Siefert had 22 assists. Briner and Brewington had two blocks apiece.

For Orchard Farm, Julie Johnston had seven kills.

 Rachel Lindemann had 13 assists in the match.

With the loss and a win against Bowling Green, Wright City sits at 1-2 on the season and hosts North County on Friday.