3rd/4th graders win first set, but can't hang on

For the 3rd/4th grade girls volleyball team, Friday night was a measuring stick of how far they've come in less than two short months.

Playing against the first team they ever faced, the 3rd/4th grade girls won the first set, but could not close it out, and were dealt their toughest loss of the year in three sets.

After taking set one 25-20, the girls fell just short in the second 25-22, before getting beat decisively 15-4 in the third and deciding set.

Justina set the tone early in the game, getting her first four serves over, getting the girls out to an early lead.

The other team was not at their sharpest and had many faults on serve, and the 3rd/4th graders took advantage. Ariana had two fantastic serves that went over for points as the girls took the opening set.

Sofia and Annika both hit the four serve limit in the second set, but the other team did a good job on serve receive, which really was the difference in set number two. The girls, perhaps a little too over-anxious after getting the first set, did a little too much scoreboard watching and had the nerves get to them.

After dropping the second set, the girls had no shot in the third, as the other team brought out their best when they needed it the most.

Following the game, the girls were a little down to say the least, because they let an opportunity at a second win on the season slip away.

But this was the first real close game that they have played this year, win or lose. In tight games, every serve, every return is so crucial, and the margin of error so thin.

Nonetheless, there is a first for everything, and this pressure packed game will be so instrumental in their development as volleyball players.

Prior to Friday's contest, there was a strong feeling of who would win after the first set. This game was not the case.

In the bigger picture, it's been incredible to see the transformation of these girls, forcing a team that beat them earlier this season to the limit.

A lot of teams would've been content with just winning one set, but the emotion following the game showed how bad the girls wanted to taste victory once more, and it's that type of competitive drive that will make them stronger players for years to come.

Thanks to Ashley who contributed to this report.