The Wildcat volleyball team hosted a four-on-four tournament on Saturday, April 14.

The ’Cats comprised three of the 16 teams as they took on some local talent in their last tournament of the season.

The teams played two games to 21 and if a tie occurred, the points were added up and the team with the most points won.

Each round of the tournament was best two out of three matches, which were played to 21 points.

Assistant coach Kim Falkenhagen said she thought the four-on-four tournament went very well as the team’s final tournament of the spring season.

“I liked it, the girls seemed to like it and the community seemed to like it,” Falkenhagen said. “It was a lot of fun; it was just an opportunity to get out there, touch the ball and figure out some different strategies.”

Sophomore outside/middle hitter Kalli Herron said the team had a really good time in the four-on-four tournament due to the change of pace it created for the team.

“It is so different than what we are used to and it was a lot of fun,” Herron said. “I think after seeing the success that this past weekend showed us, the tournament might be back next spring, but we will have to wait and see.”

Sophomore defensive specialist Suzie Solin said she was thrilled to play different positions in the four-on-four tournament.

“I think it was a lot of fun for all of us,” Solin said. “It gives us a chance to play pretty much everything. I play defense normally, and I got to hit some, so it was a lot of fun.”

Falkenhagen said she was happy with the spring season overall. She said it was a good chance for the team to gauge where they are at for the fall season.

“I think the team had a lot of fun,” Falkenhagen said. “In the beginning part of the spring season, we played a lot of six-on-six competitions. We saw a lot of good things and a lot of things we need to work on.”

Solin said the spring season was a good opportunity to work on different ways of playing and the ’Cats took advantage of the playing time.

“It was a lot of learning and getting accustomed to everyone on the court,” Solin said. “We had a lot of fun getting to know different systems and a different type of play.”

The Wildcats will welcome three new athletes to their roster for the fall season. The team signed incoming freshmen libero Alexandra Berger, setter Miranda Hilgers and outside hitter Lisa Studnicka for the 2012 season.

Falkenhagen said she has high hopes for the incoming players and is anxious to see them perform.

“All the players we have coming in are going to help us build upon the ones we have and will help us build a stronger team,” Falkenhagen said.

Solin said she is excited for the upcoming season and hopes it will be more successful than the ’Cats’ 2011 season, even though it was a winning one.

“This is what the spring season is for: to prepare for next season,” Solin said. “We hope to be better than this year and can’t wait.”