On Thursday of Rivalry Week, the girls volleyball team faced off against Oviedo as students packed the stands to see two of the top teams in the state battle it out. Hagerty, previously 3-0, tried to stay undefeated but could not find their rhythm as they lost 3-0.

In the first match, Oviedo jumped out to a quick 11-5 lead. Early points scored came from hitter Leandra Mangual and middle Audrey Douglas, but the first match ended 25-12 and gave Oviedo a 1-0 lead.

“After the first set we changed the lineup,” head coach Juanita Hitt said. “We told them we need to have a faster ball to avoid a block and we needed to pass because our passing was horrible.”

Hitter Jessica Buis and middle Sydney Conley moved to the starting lineup but, the second set was much of the same. Hagerty kept the game even at 7-7 but soon after Oviedo took control. The second match ended 25-15. Led by Mangual and hitter Morgan Romano (8 kills), the team made the third match a lot more interesting.

The team was able to rally in the third off a strong performance from Romano. Also with strong performances on the night were setter Corina Dos Santos (13 assists) and Mangual who finished with seven kills and 11 digs. Even with those performances, Hagerty was still unable to win as Oviedo capped off the third and final set, 25-18.

“We are a better team than them man to man but we always let them get in our heads,” Hitt said. “Over the next three to four games we will be working on mental toughness because we need to get back to focusing on what we are good at.”