The Lakota East High School volleyball team dug itself a hole, and dug it at the worst time.

The Thunderhawks watched their state dreams come apart early in the Division I regional final at Lebanon High School on Saturday. They lost to Ursuline 25-18, 25-8, 14-25 and 25-14 thanks to a momentum swing halfway through the first game.

Down 16-15, Ursuline went on a roll that lasted through the second game, led by a bevy of six-foot hitters as well as a tight defense that didn’t allow Lakota East any breaks.

“(Ursuline) played an unbelievable, flawless two games,” Lakota East coach Casie Garland said. “They passed and played defense like I’ve never seen before.”

Ursuline finished the first game with a 9-3 run, then rolled to a 16-5 lead in the second. The Lions’ power game never relented behind hitters Katherine Edmondson, Lauren Wilkins, Rachel Garnett and Sam Fry.

Lakota East was quickly down two games and found its dreams of making state slipping away.

“That’s a big hole we dug ourselves,” Garland said. “It was pretty disappointing the way we came out. Volleyball is a game of momentum and they got the upper hand.”

The Thunderhawks rallied in the third game. Tied 7-7, Lakota East moved Ashley Evans to the outside, which opened opportunities for LeAnn Starr, Spenser Parks and Carlie Haddad, who each had momentum-building kills. Lakota East finished the game on a 6-1 run.

“We spread out the offense and moved Ashley Evans to give her a few more swings,” Garland said. “We also picked up our defense and passing.”

Ursuline rallied in the fourth game, putting Lakota East away early. The Lions clinched their 14th trip to state when a Lakota East return fell out of bounds for the match point.

It was Lakota East’s first trip to the regional finals. The Thunderhawks had defeated previously unbeaten defending state champion Mount Notre Dame in the semifinals.

“We had a heck of a season,” Garland said. “This was our first time here. I wish it was a different outcome. We picked it up the third game, but we just didn’t have it today.”