IOWA CITY – North Mahaska saw its dream volleyball season come to an end Monday on the floor of the ninth-ranked Regals of Iowa City Regina. The Warhawks challenged to the end but fell in three sets 25-20. 25-18, 25-21.

The loss was bittersweet for first-year coach Grace Ceresa and her six seniors.

“I wish I could have had them last year and we could have played our kind of volleyball,” said Ceresa. “I told them afterwards not to blame themselves for the loss. I’ll take the blame for not having them as ready as I should have.”

Volleyball often times is a game of runs but North Mahaska did not allow the Regals to make any. Both teams battled to win a point at a time. Any runs were no more than two or three points.

“They (NM) worked hard and never let them go on long runs,” said Ceresa. “We have let teams go on runs this season, but they stepped up and did not let that happen.”

In set one, Regina worked their way to a 13-8 advantage at the mid-point of the set and the teams traded points before the Regals scored the win. In set two, NM trailed by two, but the Regals again worked their way ahead, much off the arm of Reese Naeve, who finished the night with 26 kills.

North Mahaska had the early lead in the final set and maintained it to 13-12. The set was tied three times, the last at 19-19. A service error by Addelee Klein pulled the Warhawks to 22-21 but could not get closer.

Nataliya Linder led North Mahaska with seven kills and three blocks. Regan Grewe closed out her high school volleyball career with six kills. Another senior, Sydney Andersen had four kills. Breckyn Schilling ended her volleyball career with four blocks and three kills.

Ally Livezey, Kayla Readshaw and Libby Hargis, all of whom have started matches and been major contributors for the Warhawks over their four years, saw their careers end as well.

North Mahaska ends the season with one of the best marks in Warhawk volleyball history at 21-2. Their losses this season came at the hands of No. 8 Pella Christian and No. 9 Regina.