Coupeville High School’s 3-1 volleyball loss to visiting Archbishop Murphy Thursday, Sept. 20, included a mixed bag of emotions.

The Wildcats (2-3, 2-4) won 25-17, 25-17, 20-25, 25-22.

The Wolves were excited they almost pulled out the win with their best all-around player, Bessie Walstad, out with an injury, but disappointed because a sharper match would have resulted in a win despite Walstad’s absence.

Archbishop Murphy won “fairly handily” the first game, according to Coupeville coach Toni Crebbin.

In game two, the Wolves led 16-11 before the Wildcats closed out the match with a 14-1 run. Four service errors hampered Coupeville’s efforts.

Crebbin said her club dominated in winning the third game, missing only one serve and playing “consistently.”

The Wolves’ serving went sour (seven errors, three consecutively) in the fourth match, derailing a strong comeback.

Crebbin said, “In only losing by three, serves really hurt us.”

For the match, Hailey Hammer had eight kills and hit on all 12 of her serves, and Bree Messner had three kills and 14 digs.

Coupeville (1-4, 2-4) plays at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, at the South Whidbey Tournament.