NEW LENOX – Momentum can be a key factor in any athletic contest, and when you have it, it’s great. But you can’t afford to lose it when it matters most, and that was a key factor in Providence Catholic’s 25-19, 25-22 loss Monday to St. Ignatius.

The Celtics entered the match with a 2-0 record and had not lost a game, but that changed in a back-and-forth first game against the Wolfpack.

With the Celtics trailing by three points, a 7-2 run put them up, 15-13, and they seemed in control. However, St. Ignatius took that momentum away and grabbed a 17-16 lead before the Celtics responded to tie the score at 17. But the Wolfpack closed out the first game with an 8-2 run.

“We had the momentum in the middle of the first game and then just seemed to take our foot off the pedal some,” Providence coach Lee Rucinski said. “I am proud of the fact that we hung in early and got the momentum back, especially against a strong St. Ignatius team.”

With sophomore Natalie Papes serving to start the second game, the Celtics ran off the first five points and were in control. However, the second game was one of runs, and the Wolfpack reeled off five in a row to tie the score.

After going back and forth, the Celtics still held an 11-10 lead before putting together a 6-0 run, forcing St. Ignatius to call a timeout. Providence led, 17-10, and the match appeared headed to a third game.

But everything changed again. The Wolfpack went on a 10-1 run to grab a 20-18 lead and forced the Celtics to use a timeout. Providence cut the lead to 22-21, but that was as close as they got.

“I’m happy that we played well defensively and had some great blocks at the net,” Rucinski said. “We are learning and haven’t had a whole lot of time to prepare, but I will say these girls are some of the best people I’ve been associated with in the sport. This is fun, it’s not a job.”

Gill Peterson led the Celtics with 12 kills, and Papes added six. Skye McGill had 14 assists, and senior libero Vittoria Conte had eight digs.

Conte was all over the floor and received high praise from Rucinski.

“In all my years of coaching, [Conte] is the best libero I have ever had,” Rucinski said. “She is our coach on the floor, she sees things that we can’t see as coaches, and she makes everyone around her better.”

Conte, who wants to play in college, is weighing her options.

“I’m excited about this season because it’s been awhile since we, as a team, have been on the court together,” Conte said. “Tonight, we lost, but we have a match tomorrow, and we will learn from this. We are having fun, and even with the shortened season we are all together, and it is sad that this is my last year in high school.”