When a team can hold its head up knowing it reached the majority of its goals, losing isn’t so bad. Or at least a defeat is a bit easier to tolerate.

In a Tuesday match against a very strong Monroe volleyball team, Oak Harbor lost 3-0, but there weren’t any sad faces — the Wildcats realized they had been defeated by a better team.

“That match didn’t feel like a loss at all,” junior setter Rebecca Wheeler said. “For the first two games we fought hard and played really well. We played as a team and that was our goal. Overall it was a pretty good match and Monroe is really good.”

Oak Harbor lost the first game 25-20, but put on a great show in the second game before going down to defeat 25-23.

The Wildcats cut the margin to a single point on several occasions in the second game, but were unable to get over the hump and take the lead.

“We have no regrets, we left everything on the court except for the third game,” junior Kristine Martinez said. “The second game was close and we were really into it. We put our hearts into the game but unfortunately we lost.”

Oak Harbor had major problems the entire match coping with Monroe’s big front line players, Kelsey Brennan, 6-2; Kylin Munoz, 6-1; Taylor Davis and Jen Fox, both 5-11; and 5-10 players Tarah Petrick and Jordan Birch.

“They have some big players, but we are big too,” coach Kerri Molitor said. “We played well tonight for the first two games, and I was pleased. They played with heart and we accomplished part of our goals. But that’s the nature of the game. You set your goals high and then reevaluate after the match. I’m proud of them.”

After playing so strongly, Oak Harbor fell apart both offensively and defensively in the third game losing 25-9.

In her final home match, Lizzy Van Dyke said it was a fun night and echoed Martinez’s remarks.

“They are big on the front line, but I thought we played with a lot of heart,” the senior said. “We don’t have any regrets. We fought really hard and played well together. It just didn’t turn out like we wanted it to.”

Molitor said the Wildcats have one league match left.

“We play Marysville on Thursday,” she said. “I believe if we win, we go to district. If we lose, we don’t. I think that’s how it’s going to work out. It’s like it was last year — against the same team. It also depends on Cascade. They also play on Thursday and if they lose, we will go to district.”