For The Tribune

COLUMBUS

The Seymour volleyball team had one final tuneup as they prepare for next week’s Jeffersonville Sectional.

Unfortunately for the Owls, it did not turn out the way they had hoped.

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Host Columbus North got off to a quick start out of gate, and Seymour never recovered in a 25-16, 25-19, 26-24 loss.

The Owls could not string together more than four points at any point during the match.

“We came out slow from the beginning,” Seymour coach Holly Birdsong said. “We were not talking a lot, and our feet were moving real slow. We were slow altogether. We came off a game (Monday) night, and it was a much slower pace than the game here tonight. I just think we were not ready to pick up the pace like Columbus North did.”

Solid serving by the Bull Dogs put the Owls in an 8-3 disadvantage in the first set. North was able to close it from there.

In the second set, Seymour found itself down 16-10. The Owls stormed back by scoring six of the next seven points to cut the lead 17-16. The Bull Dogs then went on an 8-3 run to put the set away.

Seymour never quit, making North earn the third set. The Owls led 7-6 early in the set. After the teams were deadlocked and trading points back and forth, Seymour found itself ahead 24-23 with set point. The Bull Dogs shut the door by scoring the next three points.

Jessica Blevins pounded seven kills, Cecily Coffmann had 17 digs and Hannah Sipe served two aces.

Lauren Fleetwood added five kills, and Emily Corcoran had an ace.

Seymour has plenty of time to get prepared for the sectional. The Owls earned a bye and will not play until Oct. 22 against Jennings County in the second semifinal game.

“We still have a lot of things to work on,” Birdsong said. “I see a lot of weaknesses still out there. We are not overlooking anywhere and we have a good week to prepare.”