The Catasauqua girls volleyball team dropped a 3-0 decision to Tamaqua Monday night at Catasauqua High School.

The Roughs took an 8-5 lead early in the first set and after briefly falling behind and rallied back to even the score at 16-16. However, Tamaqua was able to close out the first set 25-21. In the second and third sets, Catty struggled with its serve receive and fell by scores of 25-7 and 25-11.

Senior setter Jasmine Seritsky supplemented her passing with four digs. Senior Leah Klinger chipped in with a kill, two service aces, and two digs. Junior Tory Simmons was the defensive stalwart, coming up with a team-high 10 digs and adding two aces for good measure. Senior Katherine Stewart helped the Roughie cause with two kills, three digs, a block, and an ace.

Although the Roughs are off to an 0-3 start, head coach Danielle Heller explained how she wants to approach the season.

“To get more of the new girls involved,” she said. “Being able to put them on the court whenever I need to and keep everyone engaged. And get that first win, of course.”

In any sport, turnover is inevitable and new leaders emerge each year. Heller pointed out the players who have stepped into that role this season.

“My captains Jasmine Seritsky and Tory Simmons have stepped up to help the new girls learn everything and improve their skills,” she said. “I’ve noticed improvement when the new players come to the gym because of the work they are putting in outside of practice.”

When asked about this year’s team, four-year varsity player Seritsky had these thoughts, “We have a lot of new people who haven’t played organized volleyball before and they’re doing good.

“We want to win some games, but it’s also about sportsmanship, building the team and gaining new friends.”