Caden Whiteside admittedly played his best match but the outcome wasn’t what the junior outside hitter and his Olentangy Liberty teammates would have wanted.

The first-team all-state performer converted a match-high 28 kills but Cincinnati Moeller rallied from a two-game deficit to defeat the Patriots 19-25, 16-25, 25-23, 25-23, 15-13 in the Division I state final May 28 at Wittenberg.

Liberty finished 23-5, playing the program’s first state championship match.

The Crusaders (23-4) won their third consecutive state championship and were playing in their fifth consecutive final. The program has won 11 state titles including four of the last five seasons.

“That was my best,” said Whiteside, who had eight digs. “This is my most kills in a game. The adrenaline and points in each set. I know I left it all out there.”

The loss was difficult for the Patriots, who cruised through the first two games and held a 16-8 lead in the fourth.

“It was just a great volleyball match,” Liberty coach Dave Hale said. “Moeller has had the experience of being here before and this was our first time but we were right where we wanted to be.

“I thought we came back strong, they battled back but we were right there in it with a chance to win a couple times. It just didn’t go our way.”

Liberty dodged the presence of 6-foot-10 Moeller middle hitter Will Patterson. He finished with 21 kills and four blocks despite being pulled during his rotation through the back row.

“(Patterson) is tough,” Whiteside said. “Our goal was to go high hands and use the block on him. I knew he would get a few on me but I would get them right back.”

Hale knew Patterson would be a hurdle that might make things difficult for his squad.

“Obviously (Patterson) made some really good plays,” Hale said. “It’s hard to block 6-10, so he was able to make a couple of plays and did a good job for them.

“Caden played well. There is a reason he’s first team all-state. He knows how to play the game and is calm and under control and knows the play to make.”