CUMBERLAND, Md. — After battling through a back-and-forth contest that required all five sets, the Allegany College of Maryland volleyball team showed resilience, determination, and plenty of heart Tuesday evening, defeating Hagerstown Community College in an exciting home-opening victory.
The Trojans came out strong, claiming the opening set 25-22 behind energetic play on both sides of the net. Looking to build on the momentum, ACM battled throughout the second and third sets but fell 25-19 and 25-21 as Hagerstown gained the upper hand.
Facing a 2-1 deficit, the Trojans responded with their best set of the night.
ACM raced out to a commanding 14-6 lead in the fourth set and never looked back. Although Hagerstown made a late push behind several service aces from
Chloe DeBlock, the Trojans remained composed. Holding set point at 24-17,
Allison Angelo came up with a key defensive stop that led directly to the match-extending point, giving ACM a 25-17 victory and forcing a decisive fifth set.
The momentum carried into the final frame.
With
Adyson Weyandt serving to open the set, the Trojans jumped out to a quick 4-0 advantage thanks in part to a pair of aces and an energized home crowd. Hagerstown answered with a run of its own, capitalizing on a few defensive miscues to eventually knot the score at 4-4.
Following a timeout by head coach
Kylie Heyne, ACM regrouped and settled into a back-and-forth battle. Neither team could create separation as the lead changed hands multiple times. The Trojans stayed within striking distance through key defensive plays and capitalized on several Hagerstown errors to regain control.
Trailing 8-7, ACM seized momentum after a Hawks mistake allowed the Trojans to even the score and quickly move ahead 9-8.
Summer Giffin delivered a strong serving run that forced Hagerstown to use a timeout, but the visitors continued to fight, eventually tying the set once again at 10-10.
The breakthrough came late.
DeBlock added another ace to put ACM ahead 12-10, moving the Trojans within reach of the victory. Angelo followed with another critical defensive save that energized the crowd, while
Addison Franz took over from the service line.
With the Trojans needing one final point,
Carly Sowers stepped up in the biggest moment of the match. After Hagerstown extended the rally with a clutch point of its own, Sowers delivered a service ace to seal the set and complete the comeback victory.
"We had great energy all night, and it was a great match," longtime ACM scorekeeper and supporter Steve Parsons said. "That kind of effort makes it fun to keep score."
The victory marks ACM's first win of the young season and gives the Trojans momentum heading into their next match.
ACM will look to make it back-to-back victories on
September 3 when they travel to face
Harford Community College. The Fighting Owls enter the contest with an
0-5 record, having dropped matches to Fayetteville Tech, St. John's River State College, USC Sumter, Florida State College at Jacksonville, and Howard Community College. Coach
Kylie Heyne and the Trojans will look to build on the energy and resilience displayed in their home-opening victory over Hagerstown, while Harford will be searching for its first win of the season.
