An animal is most dangerous when backed into a corner.

The Park City High School girls’ volleyball team finds itself in a corner and must claw its way out after rival Wasatch defeated the Miners 3-1 Thursday night in Park City.

The Wasps returned the favor of wining on their rivals’ home court after Park City defeated Wasatch in Heber City on Sept. 14 in an intense five-set match.

“I think our girls were ready for this game, mentally and physically. We were prepared for it,” head coach Katie McLintock said. “With Wasatch being our biggest rival, obviously we wanted it.

“We beat them at their house, so I think they were pretty pissed off about it. I think they were a little more prepared because of the way they’ve been playing.”

In a tale of two teams headed in different directions, the Wasps have now won four in a row since losing to the Miners at home, while Park City is currently on the wrong end of a four-match losing streak since the win in Heber.

The Miners now have to finish at least fourth in Region 10 play at the end of the season in order to qualify for the 3A state playoffs. They are currently tied for last place in the five-team league with American Leadership Academy, which Park City will face on senior night this Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

“We should come out strong,” McLintock said. “Especially these seniors, considering their season’s winding down.”

The same thing that has plagued Park City all season came back to bite the team again against Wasatch.

Inconsistency.

After dropping the first set, 25-21, Park City responded with an impressive second set backed by the likes of libero Shelby Johnstun, setter Melissa Emerson and outside hitter Sierra Shearer.

“I told them earlier on in the game that they have the ability to change this one, and if they really want it, fight for now and take care of it,” McLintock said.

The Miners fought valiantly in the third set, but mental mistakes took a toll on their ability to take a pivotal 2-1 lead in the match.

McLintock struggled to find a set lineup that could rack up points offensively and be keen defensively, a problem the first-year head coach has had for most of the season.

“I was working for a middle (blocker) all night,” McLintock said. “I definitely don’t have a set lineup. Each day is different.”

Park City’s formation, while being able to stand strong defensively with digs, is susceptible with tips at the line. Wasatch, on the other hand, did its homework and made several key tips in crucial situations that earned points.

The Miners dropped the third set, 25-21, giving way to a 25-15 loss in the fourth and final set.

“It’s really a matter of them being able to read the hitter,” McLintock said. “We’re working on it.”

Johnstun lead the Miners in digs with 16, while junior Alisa Livingston led the team with three blocks. Senior outside hitter Josie Karz racked up 16 kills, with a hitting percentage of .191. Amy ers, Ciera Figge and Emerson led Park City in serving.

Park City hasn’t tasted victory for nearly a month now, and McLintock knows her team must be able to recognize that the end of the tunnel is fast approaching.

“It’s about who’s going to have the most heart on the day,” McLintock said. “Each one of them has a role on the team to fill. There are roles that they’ve got to be in and they’ve got to do well that day.”

After facing ALA on Tuesday, the Miners travel to Roosevelt on Oct. 21 and will be looking for some revenge after Union defeated Park City 3-0 on Sept. 23.

The Miners have their backs to the wall, and the only thing they can do now is respond.

“If we don’t beat ALA, we won’t go to state,” McLintock said. “We’ve got to win, but I do believe.”