The SHC Girls' volleyball team took on the Saint Ignatius Wildcats at the USF War Memorial Gym in the first leg of the Bruce Mahoney Rivalry on Tuesday night.

After trailing behind at the beginning of the first set, the Irish caught up and began trading points with the Wildcats, never letting two points go unanswered. After a grueling back and forth, SHC took the first set in extra points, 28-26.

While SHC entered the second set strong, they trailed the Wildcats for much of the set and lost 19-25. The third set was much of the same and the Irish dropped set three, 16-25. 

The fourth set looked as if it was going to end the same, but the Irish were fierce. Once they had a lead, they kept it up until they won the set, 25-21. 

The fifth set started out strong, with SI and SHC trading points like the first set, but it was not enough for the Irish to get a lead and they dropped game five to the Wildcats.

Although the Irish lost, their players fought hard, with outstanding plays from libero Madi Mullins, who dove for the ball throughout all five sets, and setter Cali Tangaan, who helped run a great offense, proving herself an essential player for the Irish. 

With that, Saint Ignatius leads the 2025 Bruce-Mahoney Championship 1-0. The two teams meet again at Kezar Stadium on November 7 for the football leg of the competition. 

GO IRISH!!!