Rebounding from a tough season last year, the girls’ varsity volleyball team is springing back into their former 13-peat spirit.

With a 9-4 preseason record, the Cardinals are ready for their upcoming AAA competition. After the three-set loss to Sacred Heart on Sept. 22 in their first meet this year, the team regrouped and began to take down teams in their league. The girls annihilated ISA in three sets on Sept. 27 (25-4, 25-3. 25-8), as well as easily defeating June Jordan on Sept. 23 (25-4, 25-6, 25-8).

Between the matches, the Cardinals also dominated the Carmichael Invitational on Sept. 24, remaining undefeated throughout all six games. “Tournament games are only two out of three sets, rather than three out of five, so they were quick,” senior libero Vivian Lei said. “Winning each game helped us carry our momentum into the following games and continue winning.”

The momentum is strong now, but the Cardinals built it on a lesson learned from a preseason match against Sacred Heart. The girls went down to the Fighting Irish, though they fought valiantly through three brutal sets (25-20, 25-16, 25-18). The post-game analysis of the breakdown this early in the season helped the team plan for improvement. “We didn’t give our 100% effort the whole time,” senior middle Danielle Menikheim said. “We could’ve played much better, but Sacred Heart got into our heads. We lost focus and they came out with the win.”

The Cardinals understand the benefits of challenging games, trying to learn from both victories and defeats throughout the season. “It’s games like these that test our strength and chemistry,” Menikheim added. “A loss like this only brings us together and makes us into a better team.”

The loss may have appeared disheartening, but their record now shows otherwise; the girls will take the experience gained from each difficult match to fuel the fire needed for a championship-winning streak. One of the important games is taking place today, Oct. 7, against Balboa. The Buccaneers will give the girls a run for their money, as Balboa is notorious for their scrappy defense and hard hitters. The team, however, isn’t likely to back down from a tough opponent, and the game is expected to be intense. “Playing good and bad teams help prepare us for the big prize at the end of the season – the championship,” senior outside hitter Reilly Fitzpatrick said. “Balboa is one of the better teams we face and playing them progresses our teamwork.” Fans can also be on their toes for the game against the Bucs, as they will be able to attend easily due to having the home-court advantage, allowing the players to feed off the energy of applause.

The team is playing once again at the high bar set by previous years, when, up until two years ago, they had a 13-season championship streak. With the prospect of concluding the season with the championship trophy, the girls expect to bring ferocity to the league. “We play with the same intensity at practice as we do in our toughest games,” coach Steven Wesley said. “Practice doesn’t make perfect, because no one is perfect, but practice helps us towards ‘perfect’.”

These practices and preceding games are framing the upcoming Battle of the Birds when the Cardinals take on Washington on Oct. 14 in Eagle territory. “I set up a challenging preseason to prepare us for our tough regular season match-ups, like this week’s matches against Balboa and Lincoln back-to-back, hoping they’ll help us get to another championship,” Wesley said.

The Cardinals have high hopes for the Battle of the Birds game. “A couple years ago, when competition was still very strong, Battle of the Birds was more than just a rivalry game, but since then it’s become more of simply another game,” senior defensive specialist Isabela Haeger said. “Wash had players like Jessica Nicerio, who graduated last year, and we had players like Jessica Peng, who graduated two years ago, and since then the level of play has declined. We hope to rekindle the spark that the rivalry used to spur.”

The present team would like to have teammates whose names will be remembered as well. “To win the game, we’ll have to continue to find angles to exploit like we do with every team,” Haeger said.

The fans’ exuberance helps a team’s momentum during the season, so cheer on the girls at every opportunity. The Cardinals’ next game is at 4 p.m. today, Oct. 7, at the Neff Gymnasium as they face the Balboa Buccaneers.

A version of this article first appeared in the Oct. 7, 2011 print edition of The Lowell.