The Pattonville girls volleyball teams kicked off their 2013 season at home on Wednesday against Kirkwood High School. After the varsity football team suffered a close loss to Kirkwood, the girls volleyball teams looked to win back some pride for Pattonville taking two of the three victories on Sept. 4.

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The JV team had a close match on their hands. After losing the first set 25-19, the JV Lady Pirates were not going down without a fight. A great show of heart and perseverance led the team to tie the match at 1-1. While Kirkwood is a tough opponent, the Lady Pirates knew they had what it takes to beat them. From the leadership of some of the more experienced players, the JV girls took the last set 25-20 and won the match 2-1.

The varsity girls had a tough challenge ahead. After Kirkwood’s girls went 19-13-2 last year, they seemingly want to eclipse that 20 win mark in 2013. After the Pattonville’s girls went 15-13-1 in 2013, they look faster and stronger and will hopefully win at least 20 matches as well.

The Lady Pirates led by seniors Madi McGuire and Jennifer Baker looked to start the season off on the right foot.

But seniors Kara Churovich, Megan Hellwege, Morgan Mechelke, Anne Hellwege, and Mary Bowden for Kirkwood looked to instill some senior leadership in the younger players and start their season off on the right foot as well.

Kirkwood edged out Pattonville in the first set, but nonetheless the Lady Pirates fought hard. After a long talk between sets by Lady Pirates coach Becky Middendorf, the team seemed to have been placed in the right mindset for the second set.

Coming out strong, the Lady Pirates looked to have figured it out offensively and defensively, but Kirkwood countered their play and fought back to take the second set and won the match 2-0.

“Our play was impressing,” junior Hailey Womack said. “Although we didn’t win, we played well and we’ll go far in the season with play like this.”

Middendorf added, “Although the play was impressing, we are going to improve our coverage and communication, and hope to have the team shaped up for our next match.”

The varsity girls look to bounce back in their tournament at Branson this weekend.