Actually Antibodies are not the only defense mechanism. There are cells that "eat" other viral infected cells directly or viruses directly if they encounter the viral antigen.
But its really not good news if the body does not recognize the 2nd exposure to the virus quickly.
Antibodies greatly aid the "clean up" cells by binding to the active virus in your body or cells that display the viral antigen. They help the "eater/clean up" cells find virus and cells infected with the virus.
Hope this makes sense, because it is important.