Bulldogs lose to Loyola in senior day bout
<p>Mission volleyball senior Kayla Billette tips the ball over the net, for one of her six kills that night against Loyola. Saturday marked the last home game of the 2013 season.</p>
ST. IGNATIUS — Anybody in Mission’s gym on Saturday afternoon could feel the intensity.
Perhaps for some spectators it was angst about missing the final moments of the Montana Grizzlies nail-biter, but more likely it had something to do with the Bulldogs’ excitement for senior day.
Mission, struggling through a trying season, took the court and stormed by visiting Loyola for a 25-20 victory in the first set.
“Everybody came out with a stronger will to want to win for the seniors,” Bulldogs senior Kaylie Durglo said. “It was much-needed, I think.”
The Bulldogs dropped the final three sets of the match, but it was still a moral victory for the 1-13, 0-6 Mission team to take a set from second-place Loyola. Heading down the stretch, the Bulldogs took it as building momentum.
They were able to do so behind the consistent serve of yet another senior, Kayla Billette, who rattled off seven consecutive service points to finish the set.
“I think we finally just got tired of losing and decided to work together and come together as a team,” Billette, who led the Bulldogs with six kills and two aces said.
“Kayla’s a really good server,” Durglo added about her teammate. “Anytime she gets on a roll it really builds our momentum.”
Another helpful tool in the box has been the recent strong front-row play from sisters Courtney and Emilie Charlo.
“They’re just tall and they work the net well. It’s nice to have the extra height,” Durglo said.
Sophomore Jordyn Eichert led Mission with 17 digs and 10 assists.
The Bulldogs head to Ronan tonight before traveling to Florence on Saturday in their final regular season contest.