Whitehall volleyball’s home opener didn’t turn out as Zephyr fans hoped when Emmaus won the match in three sets, 25-17, 25-17, 25-21, on March 18.

Always a well-attended sporting event at Whitehall, the Zephyrs found themselves trailing early in the first two sets to the delight of Hornet fans, who were also out in full force.

In the first set, Whitehall opposite hitter Omarion Tembo scored the first point for the Zephyrs. Ethan Ringenberger scored on a ball to the corner, and Cole Richards’ ball to the same spot tied it, 7-7.

Emmaus pulled out to a six-point lead, and a kill by Jametric Harris was only a taste of what was to come from the Hornet senior, who was pivotal in Emmaus’s winning the second set.

The Zephyrs led, 5-1, to start the third set, but after the Hornets took over, Whitehall outside hitter Jack Kocher kept the Zephs alive with a spectacular backward return from the back row on the third contact.

Whitehall stayed within two or three points for most of the set, but was unable to take it from the Hornets.

Whitehall’s next match is scheduled for March 22 when the Zephyrs will travel to Liberty.

The last time the teams met was May 25, 2023, in a district quarterfinal won by Whitehall, 3-1.