COMMENT: Loss shouldn't tarnish miracle season

All good things must come to end.

It’s only a matter of time. Sometimes, it happens all too quickly. Sometimes, it happens when the end is the only thing left in sight. And sometimes, it happens in the midst of history.

Such was the case this past Saturday, when the Lakewood Ranch High volleyball team found itself on the losing end of a 3-0 decision in the Class 6A-Region 3 finals at Tarpon Springs.

The Lady Mustangs led early in the first set, but timely serving by the Lady Spongers coupled with uncharacteristic errors by the Lady Mustangs eventually led to a three-set sweep.

And after losing the first set and their momentum, Lakewood’s historic season came to a close.

It wasn’t the way the Lady Mustangs had hoped to close their season, but in a season of firsts, Lakewood put together a season that was nothing short of miraculous.

With only three seniors on their roster, the Lady Mustangs breezed through the regular district season, posting a perfect 5-0 record.

From there, Lakewood went on to win the program’s first-ever district title with a 3-1 victory over Seminole Osceola in the Class 6A-District 12 championship.

But the Lady Mustangs weren’t simply content to stop there. Instead, they appeared in, hosted and won their first-ever regional match. They, then, went on to win their first regional semifinal, and were two points away from winning the first set in their first regional final appearance.

To simply say Lakewood had a good season would be a gross understatement. The Lady Mustangs made school history not once, not twice, but three times on their way to a 21-8 record.

And although their regional final loss may have initially left a bitter taste in their mouths, the Lady Mustangs should always remember just how great their season was every time they walk into the gymnasium and see the volleyball banner hanging from the rafters — a banner that is no longer blank.

And with the majority of its roster returning next season, including junior MVP Mariah Robertson, Lakewood’s future only looks brighter.