The Whitko volleyball team saw its season end Thursday night in first-round play of the Class 3-A Norwell Sectional.

Heritage defeated the Wildcats 25-15, 13-25, 27-25, 25-13 in the opening match of the tournament.

Sophomore Maddie Gawthrop led the way for Whitko with 11 kills. Junior Whitney Hobbs had nine kills and classmate Taylor Zwick eight for the Wildcats.

Senior setter Meghan Peters totaled 30 assists and led Whitko with four aces. Jenny Brown led the defense for coach Brandy Smith’s team with 24 digs and Hobbs led the Wildcats in blocks.

Whitko, which graduates three seniors,  concludes its season with a mark of 7-21. The Wildcats finished 5-23 in 2011.

Mississinewa topped Eastbrook 25-20, 25-21, 23-25, 25-20 in the other sectional first-round contest at Norwell Thursday night.

Heritage, now 12-16,  faces Mississinewa Saturday at 10 a.m. in the first sectional semifinal match. Norwell then plays Bellmont in the second semifinal. The championship is slated for Saturday at 4 p.m.