The Cooper volleyball team closed out the first half of District 4-5A play with a 25-13, 21-25, 25-15, 25-21 loss to Wichita Falls Legacy on Tuesday, but second-year coach Kandice Williams left the Senior Night match at Cougar Gym encouraged by the fight her team displayed.

While an inability to stop extended runs eventually proved their undoing, the Lady Cougars battled through a slow start and bouts of adversity throughout the match to give themselves a chance to force a fifth set before ultimately falling in four.

The loss left CHS at 11-21 overall and 0-4 in district — one match behind Legacy (20-18, 1-3) for the fourth and final playoff spot at the midway point of league play. But Williams saw signs for hope as her team looks ahead to its final four regular-season matches.