It has been 15 years for the Catasauqua girls’ volleyball team, but it was well worth the wait.

For the first time since 2007, the Rough Riders advanced to the District 11 Class 2A playoffs as the number six seed and met host and third seed Notre Dame Tuesday night. Unfortunately for the Roughies, they dropped a 3-0 decision by scores of 25-16, 25-8, and 25-15.

First-year head coach John Cesanek guided the Roughies to an overall 6-13 record, recording the largest number of victories in recent years. Cesanek reminded his players to see the big picture.

“I am so proud of them,” beamed Cesanek. “We had more wins this year than the last five years combined. I couldn’t be more proud of how much the girls turned this season around.

“I told the girls to appreciate everything because this can be a once in a lifetime experience,” he said. “Some of these girls weren’t even born the last time this program made the playoffs.

“There were so many tears at the game, and especially when we got off the bus and talked for the last time.”

Seniors Angelis Ramos and Cora Soltis both agreed the program took a turn for the better when the team nearly rallied against Palmerton last year and beat them this year.

“We took them (Palmerton) to five games last year, and that was a big lift for us,” said Ramos, who has played since her sophomore year. “We beat them this year. I’ve seen a big change with this team this year. Coach Cesanek really helped all of us, and we became a better team under him.

“It’s hard to leave this team, but they will have a good future.”

Soltis, who has played since her freshman year and started as a sophomore, has watched the program grow and develop.

“We have come a long way,” said Soltis. “We worked on our game and you could see the progress. I knew I had to work on my passing. We all became more confident and really played together as a team.”