Superior volleyball team battles to win over Arlee

It was like a rubber match within one match, but in the end the ball bounced Superior’s way as the Lady Bobcats came away with a 3-2 match win over the visiting Arlee Scarlets.

The first set established the tone of things to come.

In the volleyball equivalent of overtime, when a team must win by two points or more to claim the set, Arlee capped an action-packed first round when they pulled out a 28-26 win to go up 1-0 in the match. The first set was tied multiple times with multiple lead changes before Arlee was able to sneak ahead by two.

One good set deserves another?

That was the case Thursday night when Superior shook off the long first set loss and eked out a two-point “overtime” win of its own, knocking off the Scarlets 26-24 in set two to tie the match.

Then, after the two nail-biters, came a couple of less frantic sets.

Arlee rebounded from the second set loss, grabbed an early lead and in comparison to the opening two sets, coasted to a comfortable 25-13 set win and a 2-1 match advantage.

Not to be outdone, or in this case lose the match, Superior fought back in set number four and turned the tables on Arlee as they pulled out a 25-18 win that squared the match at 2-2.

That brought on a fifth set tie-breaker, where according to rules the set goes to the team that scores 15 points and wins by at least two.

In the tie-breaker, Superior grabbed a comfortable mid-set lead and held on for a 15-9 set win.

The fifth set win gave the host Lady Bobcats a hard-earned 3-2 match triumph.

Several Lady Bobcats played a key role in the victory, including senior standout Sorren Reese, who had a match high 12 kills, and Molia Dao, who recorded six service aces to go with her match-best 16 digs.

Senior Cassie Green also had a solid night, recording seven assists and three blocks.

Next on the schedule for the Lady Bobcats is a road match in Darby tonight (Tuesday), followed by a home encounter Thursday with conference rival Hot Springs.