by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — History is a long, long time. But it is hard to remember a combination where so much went wrong for the Wellington High School athletic program on the playing field and hard word.

On the cusp of the football team’s heartbreaking 14-7 loss to Mulvane, the Wellington volleyball team may have lost one even more emotionally distressing. Mulvane, at 9-28, stunned Wellington in the first round 25-18, 25-23. Wellington ends its best season ever with a 22-16 record.

The Crusaders may have never gotten out of their own sub-state anyway. Andale was a heavy favorite. But the Crusaders were hoping a large home crowd could lift them past the Indians in the championship set. After all the team had taken Andale to three games on Tuesday in Buhler. And three’s a charm. 

But what Wellington wasn’t counting on was losing to Mulvane first. The Crusaders had swept Mulvane in regular season winning in McPherson 25-13, 25-19 and then winning in three sets on Mulvane’s court 23-25, 25-23, and 25-14.

This time, though, the Cats would win the most important game of the season.

It was a unique dynamic. Wellington head coach Alison Widen had her baby – a little boy on Friday. It was a wonderful moment for the Crusader program and for Widen.

But just for the sake of this story and that match, Widen was not there on Saturday and one wonders what kind of psychological affect that might have had on the team.

The Crusaders, who have brought a new game to the WHS gym with crisp passing, consistent serving and team cohesiveness this season, couldn’t find much of that Saturday afternoon.

Half of Mulvane’s points came on unforced errors. Wellington opened the day chasing Mulvane who took a 6-4 lead and opened a 15-11 advantage half way through the set. The Crusaders stuck with Mulvane, but after the Wildcats got into the 20s, Mulvane would go on to a 25-18 victory.

Game two showed sparks of the Crusader magic that made this team so special, but it would get away from the team with a bad serve or a miscommunication on the court. In one sequence that may have lasted five minutes, Wellington saw a 13-11 lead become 13-12 instead of 14-11 due to Mulvane’s never give up attitude.

Got to give it to the Wildcats, they played a good game.

And like Friday night’s football team, Wellington wasn’t getting any favors from the officials. Mulvane picked up two points on Wellington set violations that turned a 19-15 lead to a 19-17 fingernail gnawer. Wellington never could recover thereafter.

Mulvane rattled off seven straight points and led 22-19. And despite two good points, Wellington’s nerves would get the best of it on the final two sequence. And just like that the season ended.

It may have not been the worst weekend in Wellington High School history. But it was pretty darn bad.

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