The girls volleyball team lost to Moon Township on Thursday night, winning the first set but losing the final three.

This loss means that the team is now tied with for first place in the section, rather than having sole possession of the top spot.

There are two section games remaining in the season, and senior Mia Hampsay says that those last two games are must-wins if the team wants to stay at the top of the section. 

“We have to win our next two games no matter what,” Hampsay said, “I think we can do it. We just need to move on from this loss and keep playing our game well.”

Hampsay said that the loss actually motivated the team moving forward.

“This loss made us realize that we have to keep playing our very hardest, and that none of our games moving forward will be easy,” Hampsay said. “We just need to keep our focus for the rest of the season and into the playoffs.”

The Highlanders have only lost two games this season, but both have been to Moon.

Junior Bethany Voelker said Moon is a talented squad.

“Moon has two really good outside hitters,” Voelker said. “Their hits are pretty hard for the back line to get to. They have pretty good defense too.”

Hampsay cited sophomore Alexa Chapla as being one of the Highlanders who had a particularly strong night on Thursday.

“Alexa made some really good saves in the back row, and she gave us motivation through the parts of the game where things weren’t going our way,” Hampsay said.

Hampsay said that this loss was tough for the team, but that the Highlanders are still capable of having a great season.

“This loss wasn’t easy, especially so late in the season, but we can rebound with the right effort,” Hampsay said. “We have a winning team. We just need to work on keeping our confidence up and not doubting ourselves when times get tough.”

Going forward, the Highlanders plan on working on serving and being smart with the ball, Voelker said. She also said that the team’s loss in the WPIAL championship last year should provide motivation for the rest of the season.

The team’s next game is an away game at Mount Lebanon on Tuesday, one of the two final section games of the year.