In the 2003 State Championship: The Pandas came back after falling behind 2-0 to force a fifth game. But Ursuline’s 6-foot-1 Kate Mills’ 31 kills was too much. Padua lost 15-10 in the deciding match.
The 2004 Title Game: Things were looking up with star Amanda Olmstead. But in the last game of her high school career, a deep thigh bruise troubled her and forced her to miss most of the second game. She gave a courageous effort, but the Pandas were overcome by Ursuline’s star 6-foot-1 hitters Sarah Williams and Alex Flanders.
Then came 2005, when Padua was the sentimental favorite, a bull horn proclaimed “Padua is going to win the volleyball state championship” at a Sallies football game in Baynard Stadium. No such luck.
In 2006 Padua did not make it to the finals. St. Mark’s did what Padua could not –upended an undefeated Ursuline with authority. You guessed it, St. Mark’s was led by twin 6-foot-1 twin hitters Caitlin and Cristen Hess.
2007, things looked promising. The Pandas asserted their superiority and defeated Ursuline convincingly in the first of two Catholic Conference matches at home. But the second time they met was a different story. Ursuline coach Susan Heiss’ efforts to recruit basketball star Elena DelleDonne started to pay dividends when she used her 6-foot-4 frame with 6-foot-1 hitter Meghan Bonk’s for a devastating result, beating the Pandas in five games. The Raiders committed just 18 errors while the Pandas had 26.
