And because of that, the inconsistent Tem-Cats' playoff dreams were put to rest.
After splitting two thrilling five-game battles during District 12-5A's regular season, Bryan got the final say to end Temple's season 17-25, 27-25, 25-23, 25-20 in a play-in match at Rouse High School.
"It was the same thing we've done all year long," Tem-Cats coach Susie Hughlett said. "We had a breakdown in passing and then we have to catch back up. We did a phenomenal job of catching up, but passing broke down and confidence got a little shaky. They fought back like they always do."
But this time they couldn't make it all the way back. Temple finished at 21-17 and in fifth place in 12-5A for the second straight season.
The Tem-Cats went 5-2 in the second half of league play, including a rally past Bryan the Friday prior, to force the play-in match. They could have clinched a postseason berth Tuesday after jumping out to a 2-0 lead on Copperas Cove, but a failure to finish forced the winner-take-all affair with the Lady Vikings.
Bryan (18-17) advanced to the Class 5A playoffs as the No. 4 seed and will face 11-5A top seed North Mesquite next week at a date and time to be determined.
Senior Kaitlin Muniz led the Tem-Cats with 16 kills, while sophomore Loryn Goodwin - who finished 21st in the district cross country meet Friday morning in Round Rock - added 13. Senior setter Emily Vasek had 33 assists and 14 digs and libero Lauren Mann had a team-high 27 digs.
cmeister@temple-telegram.com
