Whitehall's volleyball season came to an end before it would have liked, but the Zephyrs have plenty to look back on as they concluded their 2013 campaign.

Finishing up with a 13-6 record, along with an appearance in the district finals and the state tournament, gave Whitehall a season to be proud of, but the Zephyrs may always look back on the season and ask, "what if," in regards to letting a fifth game slip away from them against Emmaus in the District 11 3A championship.

Whitehall's run officially ended at states in a three-game sweep (25-23, 25-21, 25-11) to Central Dauphin in the opening round of the PIAA tournament.

Head coach George Cowitch knows the season's final two results weren't what they had hoped for, but that the season as a whole came up positive.

"Overall season was a success, being in the district final, fighting the way we did," he said. "Being up 13-6 [in the district final] and just not able to finish in game five, will always be tough to swallow. I still believe we were the better team that night, and throughout the season.

"We are taking a lot of positives out of it as a program, we are building this thing to be great someday, and I believe its just starting."

Cowitch understands that some of attributes his team displayed throughout the season came back to haunt Whitehall in their loss to Central Dauphin, as they led late in the first two sets and couldn't come away with victories.

"We just didn't show up as a collective group that day," said Cowitch. "The games were close and we slowed down their best player. We had leads late in the first two sets, and just couldn't finish. It's the story of our season."

That chapter is now closed as 10 seniors graduate, while the Zephyrs return six players with playing experience under their belts next season. Taking the steps necessary towards getting back into the district final are now taking shape for Whitehall as they head into the off-season.

"Moving forward, we will hit the offseason workout and training hard," he said. "This group is one of the hardest working groups that I have had since I have been coach. These guys will do great things and they're a close knit group that are hungry to get back to the title game."