HITTING — Madonna’s Riley Birkhimer hits during the Class A quarterfinals Wednesday morning in Charleston. - WVSSAC

Making its first state tournament appearance, Madonna fell in three sets to East Hardy in the quarterfinals of the Class A championships Wednesday morning inside the Charleston Coliseum.

Madonna finishes its season 27-11-1.

“This has truly been a year of milestones for the program,” Madonna head coach Jae Hissam said. “Qualifying for our first OVAC championship in 10 years, bringing home the first city championship in six years, winning the Mason-Dixon conference title and being the first team in program history to make it to the state tournament is a huge accomplishment and says so much about the hard work and dedication that these girls have given.

“Every single girl on the roster contributed to the team’s success this year and I am very proud of that. While the season didn’t end how we wanted it to, I am confident we will come back stronger than ever next year.”

Madonna’s Rylee Birkhimer hits during Wednesday’s state tournament game. - WVSSAC

In the opening set Wednesday morning, No. 4 seed East Hardy scored the first five points, but the fifth-seeded Dons battled back within 7-5. East Hardy (23-8) then scored the next seven points to pull back away, though, fending off another Madonna charge to take a 25-18 victory for a 1-0 lead.

In the next two sets, the Dons put up a tough fight, holding the lead in both. The Dons led the second set 9-5 before the Cougars came back to win it, 25-18. In the third set, Madonna led by as many as five at 12-7, but again the Cougars battled back to close things out, 25-19.

East Hardy went on to fall to top-seeded Wirt County in four sets in the semifinals in the evening session.

For Madonna, Madi Owens tallied six kills, 14 digs, four aces and a block, Geena Birkhimer had six kills, six digs, a block and an ace, Sophie Brady tallied 12 assists to put her over 900 on the season, two kills, three aces and eight digs, Rylee Birkhimer had 15 digs, three kills and an assist and Breea Birkhimer recorded 12 digs and an ace.

The Dons future is bright, with just one senior — Rylee Birkhimer — set to graduate from the group. She is committed to run track at West Liberty.

Madonna’s Sophie Brady sets. - WVSSAC

“Rylee has been a phenomenal leader through the whole process,” Hissam said. “She is one of the most kind, selfless and loving young women that I have ever met and her leadership was crucial in our success this year.

“We are going to miss her dearly, but we are very proud of her.”