Just days after the Emmaus girls volleyball team picked up its biggest win in the last few years, the Lady Hornets season came to an abrupt end in the District 11 Class AAA title game.

Emmaus, which ended Parkland's undefeated season in the district semifinal, fell to Southern Lehigh 3-1 (25-21, 25-15, 19-25, 25-19) in last Thursday's championship game.

"Even though we didn't come out on top they're a very special group of girls," said Millets. "I've never seen a team that had more heart than this. These girls accomplished some spectacular things this year."

Emmaus trailed for most of the first two games. In game one, the Hornets fell behind 14-8 early and never got closer than three points. In game two, Southern Lehigh went up 17-8 en route to a quick win.

With the season on the line, Emmaus battled back to win game three, taking the lead early and never letting the Spartans closer than three points.

Southern Lehigh opened a big early lead in game four, 9-3. The Hornets fought back, closing the gap to 17-15 before the Spartans closed out the match.

Emmaus ends the season at 18-4 overall and earned Lehigh Valley Conference and District 11 silver medals.

Millets sees the season as a great success despite the title-game loss.

"I don't want not winning to overshadow the amazing things they did," she said. "It doesn't overshadow all the stuff they did this year winning tournaments, beating Parkland last week.

"They made a commitment to one another before the season that things were going to change this year in a very positive way and they did that. They stuck with it all year long. They were just amazing.."

Emmaus graduates five players from this year's team, including Danica Benson, Makenzie Lysek, Corrine Justus, Alexandra Traynor and Amanda Haag.

"Our seniors did a fantastic job this year leading the team on and off the court," said Millets. "The bonding, you just don't see that. The younger girls definitely learned a lot from these seniors."