Much had been accomplished by the Falcons this season, but much was desired.

After a marathon five-game match for the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4A East volleyball title, Green Hope’s season ended just a game away from its first championship appearance in front of a raucous Wilmington Hoggard crowd.

Green Hope (24-2) lost 3-2 to the host Vikings (22-3) on Tuesday night, 15-25, 25-15, 20-25, 25-22 and 15-12.

“I’m upset, but I’m still really proud of everyone. We never let down. We fought every single point and there’s nothing we can go back and change,” Green Hope senior Kaitlin Quinn said. “We did our best and that’s all that matters.”

For the last four seasons, Quinn has been one half of one of the top duos in the Triangle.

Quinn, a Campbell recruit, and teammate Christina Vucich went out the same way they started their high school careers – working together seamlessly to get point after point.

Vucich, who will be a 6-foot-4 setter for Duke next year, posted a match-high 30 kills, with all but one of them coming from Quinn, who ended the night with 44 assists.

The two said that they have sometimes felt as though they’re communicating through telepathy on the court.

“I don’t know what it’s going to be like not playing with her (next year),” Quinn said. “I’ve been on her team ever since I started playing volleyball.”

The first game looked as though Green Hope would roll to an easy win, as the Falcons went up 15-1 before some of the late-arriving onlookers could find an open spot on the Hoggard bleachers. The Falcons took game one 25-15, but were surprised in game two when Hoggard was the one jumping out to an 11-4 start.

The Vikings, led by coach Ron Strickland – the NCHSAA active leaders in wins – adjusted their defense and put up more competitive blocks against the Falcons.

“Their front row did a great job blocking,” said Green Hope coach Karl Redelfs. “They pretty much got a touch on every single one of our hitters.”

Hoggard ruled the second game, evening the match at one apiece.

In the third game, the Vikings had trouble with Green Hope’s serves, allowing three for aces. Vucich had six kills in the period, and the Falcons were a game away from the 4A title.

But Hoggard’s blockers kept the Falcons’ kills from falling, and the match was even after Hoggard won game four 25-22.

In game five, Hoggard went on a 5-0 run to go up 12-6. With the way the Vikings were defending, it was too much for Green Hope to overcome. The East semifinal round was farther than any Falcon team had gone before.

“I’m so proud to have taken Green Hope this far and to have played here for four years,” Vucich said.

Green Hope will lose two other senior starters in middle blocker Sidney Durand and libero Riley Dixon.

“I’m really glad I got a chance to see everyone grow, because every single person on the team has gotten so much better (this year),” Quinn said. “We did a great job, and I’m proud to represent Green Hope.”