The Columbia Wildcats had their postseason hopes dwindle away over the past week with two key district losses.
The Wildcats (8-10, 5-4) played Salem close on the road Aug. 12 but ultimately lost 3-1. They dropped the first two sets 25-21 and 27-25, won the third 25-14 and lost the fourth 28-26. Head coach Scott Fitzgerald said the officiating cost them a few points, and the match may have been the worst officiated that he’s been a part of.
“I told the girls, ‘Sometimes life’s not fair, and there’s not anything you can do about it.’ I told them, ‘It would work itself out in the long run, and you can’t get down on yourself. I said, ‘Games are a lot like life, and you’ll feel like this at least two or three more times in your lifetime. You just have to get past it,’” Fitzgerald said.
Then on Tuesday at East Marion, Columbia was swept by the rival Eagles. The Wildcats needed to win both to have a realistic shot at the playoffs.
Columbia has a week between matches as they head to Hazlehurst on Tuesday and Seminary on Thursday.
