Gut check.

Mental toughness can be as import as physical talent in athletics and the Oak Harbor High School’s volleyball team displayed both in its 3-2 win over Cascade at North Whidbey Middle School Tuesday.

Twice the Wildcats had to hold back the flood of Cascade’s momentum in the win. In the first game Oak Harbor was at set point, 24-17, and had the Bruins on the ropes. However, Cascade fought back to twice take game-point leads of 27-26 and 28-27. The Wildcats refused to fold after coughing up the lead and won 30-28. The Wildcats also won the second game 25-19.

Cascade took the next to games, 25-15 and 25-23, and jumped to an early lead in the final set. Oak Harbor once again displayed it’s cool under the pressure of a Cascade comeback and put the Bruins away 15-10 to take the game and match. Coach Kerri Molitor was impressed with her team’s “tremendous heart.”

The Wildcat offense was led by Melany Cone’s 35 assists, Marisa Sutherland’s 11 kills, Katelyn Bristow’s six kills, and Kelsey Terrazas-Cooley’s six aces. Molitor also emphasized Bristow’s “great saves” and Terrazas-Cooley’s digs on defense.