Game tied at 13-13.  Fifth set.  The Cards had clawed back after losing the first two sets.  Would they be able to make winning plays at crunch time, or would it be another demoralizing loss?  Cardinal fans were hopeful yet guarded.  The 5^th set has not been kind to the team, with 4 very close 5-set losses this year, not to mention 4 last year, including a 20-18 loss to West in five.    Then came The Point.  The Cards blocked an outside hit, but the deflection was on our side of the net and appeared to be falling to the floor.  Abbey McNally lunged and punched the ball with one hand, sailing it to the other side of the court, landing just inside the corner lines for a Cardinal point.  After a second of disbelief, the team and fans erupted.  Fittingly, Abbey stepped up to serve at match point and aced the Firebirds.  The curse of the 5^th set was over.  "This was a game we had marked on our schedule since the season started," said Abbey.  "We weren't going to let it slip away from us again."
 

Like the West game last year, it was a battle.  The Cards didn't bring their A game to start off but still had a chance to win the first 2 sets, losing 23-25 and 29-31.  After losing by that margin, especially in the second set, it would have been easy to lay down in the third set and accept the fate of losing.  However, the team stepped up its game in the third set, winning 25-20.  Building on that momentum, the Cards came out and steamrolled West in the 4^th set, winning 25-7.   Hitters Lachelle Dixon, Kiley McNally, and Kate White all contributed with kills and well-placed tips.  The back row was solid, and DS Nevaeh Lawson continued her strong serving runs.  "We had it going in the 4^th set.  When we are playing at that level, we're tough to beat," said Grace Gehner.  That set up the Cards for the epic 5^th set victory.

From a historical perspective, you have to go back in the archives to find the last time Colerain beat West – 1995.  That's a long time, and it shows what this team and the program have been able to accomplish in recent years.  But it's not over.  Another huge game looms on Tuesday, October 10^th against East.  It's definitely a statement game, and after losing to the Hawks in 5 last year, it's another shot at redemption.  Please make a point to be at the game.  The crowd could be the largest at a Colerain game in many years, and this is one you won't want to miss.  Check out wearecolerain.org for the remaining schedule. 

Go Cards!