The Cardinals felt the impact of COVID full force this week as they entered their November 10th Game game short-handed. They were down two starters, including setter Sada Green, who missed this week’s practices due to a possible COVID exposure. Right side Bella Bresnahan, who filled in for Green at setter last week, also missed the game due to a possible Covid exposure. The Cardinals were also without senior Reese Ireland, who left the team mid-season. 

Chemistry has been a struggle this season for the Cardinals, and being down key players only exacerbated those issues.

“We lack the chemistry we need, and sometimes we lack motivation, and the drive to be better and to win,” said Junior outside hitter Mikayla Wilber, who started at setter for the first time on Tuesday.

COVID-19 has been a major cause of chemistry issues this season for the Cardinals. From missing out on team pasta parties to not being able to have a student section, this season has been unprecedented territory for the entire state. The Cardinals entered the season not even knowing whether they’d be allowed to play, and had to traverse a temporary cancellation halfway through the season, which was quickly reversed by the Anoka-Hennepin school district. 

Despite a tumultuous season both on and off the court, the Cardinals started the November 10th game with much more energy than previous matches, but it wasn’t enough to match the Elks, as they lost the first set 15-25.

Despite a less than ideal first set, the Cardinals showed poise and fought back the second set, even leading for much of it. Both teams battled hard, but the Elks pulled through at the end, winning 25-23. 

With momentum on their side, the Elks, led by Junior Elle Cotton, completed their sweep of the Cardinals by taking the third set 25-16. The victory marks a 4th straight win for the Elks, who rose to 7-3 on the season; good enough for 5th place in the Northwest Suburban conference. Cotton, who leads the team in kills this season with 85, added 10 to her total against the Cardinals.

Despite another disappointing loss, the game has the ability to serve as a morale booster for the Cardinals. Senior Audrey Anderson said, “The best part of last night was we felt like an actual team, and our team chemistry was the best it’s been. We did a good job keeping the energy, and we didn’t have low moments.”

The Cardinals have just four games left on their schedule, including a tough match on November 12 against the 8-1 Champlin Park Rebels. The Cardinals seek to prepare for the game by doing some team bonding to improve chemistry, and hope to produce a different result against the Rebels than previous years.

The Rebels, who have been a volleyball powerhouse in the state over the last few years, won their only match against the Cardinals last season in an 3-0 sweep. 

“We need to have a positive attitude and try to not let previous years losing against them get in our way of the game.,” Said Anderson “We need to be in the game all the time and get focused, and get our serves in more consistently.”