The Ashland University volleyball team has surely had a year to remember. Whether it was the team’s historical undefeated winning streak, their 16-1 conference record or their No. 1 seed in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, the team had the talent and recognition to make this their championship season.

After losing to the Tiffin Dragons in the regular season finale, the Eagles headed back to Kate’s Gymnasium to take on that team once more, this time in the conference postseason quarterfinal round.

The Eagles started off red hot in the opening set taking a 25-23 close-knit victory. With sophomore GraceAnn Hartman stepping up and delivering crucial kills, the Eagles looked poised to take a step forward in the second set.

With a 1-0 series lead, they started off the second set hot on a 4-1 run. However, that lead would not last long before the Dragons started to run away with it. The point total remained similar, but the playstyle of the Dragons was visibly stronger. Their hits found corners of the court Eagles were unable to get to, and their kills came at the opposing player at the speed of light.

The Dragons would pull off a 25-23 win in set two to tie the series at 1 apiece.

In the third set, there were not many bright spots for the Eagles as sophomore outside hitter Wakayla Wilson could not be contained racking in over 15 kills through the first three sets.

Alongside Wilson, libero Diana Heitkamp rebounded and returned practically every shot at her. Whether she was diving across the court, hitting the ball backward or extending one arm out to hit the ball back to a teammate she would not let a ball pass her.

The Dragons would squeak out another win, this time 25-21 avoiding a nine-point comeback from the Eagles.

In the fourth and final set, the Eagles tried their hardest to bring the game back and force a game five but were unable to. The Dragons ended up winning 25-20 taking a 3-1 series win and moving onto the semifinal round.

With the loss, the Eagles season unfortunately comes to a close. They finished the season 23-7 and 16-1 in conference play.