Just as different as the scores and team records in Tuesday's Warsaw/Whitko varsity volleyball match were the coaches' thoughts about their respective teams' performances.

Despite falling 15-5, 15-6 to the host Tigers, Whitko coach Rachelle McCammon said her team performed better than it has all season.

"This is the best we've played all season," McCammon said. "A lot of credit goes to Warsaw, they're the fastest team we've seen all year. They mixed it up, but I think we adjusted well to the things they ran at us."

The loss drops the Wildcats to 0-7 on the season.

Warsaw coach Tanya Coon said her team played in an abnormal funk.

"This was not our normal play," Coon said. "That's the downfall of some teams. If we have to play our game, not at the other teams' level. We didn't play where we need to be to take the conference and sectional."

And yet it was good enough to boost Warsaw's record to 7-1 on the season.

Whitko took a 4-0 lead in the first set, but with Amie Poling, Ashley Hart, Andrea Saldivar and Kara Kesler serving, Warsaw came back and took a 9-4 lead. The Tigers outscored Whitko 6-1 the rest of the way.

"Their offense is the fastest we've seen, they run it all," said McCammon. "They mixed it up, and that kept our whole defense off guard."

Senior Tary Hamill served Whitko to a 2-0 lead in the second set, but junior Abby Sumpter brought the Tigers back with three service points of her own. Warsaw jumped out to a 13-6 lead before the left-handed Hart served up the final two points of the match.

Kesler finished the game with six kills, three digs, three blocks and an ace. Sumpter led the Tigers with 24 assists. She also had a service ace.

"Myra Sells and Kara Kesler had good games," said Coon. "Pretty much all the kids had good games."

Sells finished the game with four blocks, three of which were solo, and seven kills.

Whitko will be in action Thursday at 6 p.m at Three Rivers Conference rival North Miami. Warsaw will be at Northern Lakes Conference rival Goshen Thursday, before its tournament Saturday with Lafayette Harrison, South Bend Clay and South Bend Riley.

WARSAW DEF. WHITKO 15-5, 15-6

Warsaw leaders

Blocks - Myra Sells 4 (3 solo), Kara Kesler 3

Aces - Kesler 1, Abby Sumpter 1, Andrea Saldivar 1

Digs - Erin Cook 6, Kesler 3, Lindsay Simcoe 3, Andrea Saldivar 3

Kills - Sells 7, Kesler 6, DeGeeter 5

Assists - Sumpter 24

JV - Warsaw def. Whitko 15-8, 15-5

Warsaw leaders

Kills - Michelle DeGeeter 8, Nicole Deford 4, Jennifer Simpson 3

Assists - Heather Barrett 12

Points - Mechelle Henderson 10, Deford 9, Barrett 5

Aces - Henderson 4, Deford 4, Barrett 2

Digs - Cassie Harding 2, Henderson 2, Krysten Klotz 2

Warsaw record - 4-0 [[In-content Ad]]