In a match defined by momentum swings and tight finishes, the Sullivan Redskins found their best volleyball when it mattered most, rallying late in both sets to earn a 2-0 varsity victory over the Maroa-Forsyth Trojans.
Maroa-Forsyth controlled stretches of both sets and spent much of the night playing from in front, but Sullivan continued to battle back. The Redskins erased the Trojans’ advantages down the stretch in each set, taking the opener 25-22 before completing the sweep with another 25-23 victory in Set 2.
The opening set quickly established the competitive tone of the match. Neither side was able to create much separation early, with the Trojans and Redskins trading points and momentum.
As the set progressed, Maroa-Forsyth was able to establish an advantage and put itself in position to take the early lead in the match. Sullivan, however, refused to allow the Trojans to close it out.
The Redskins chipped away at the deficit and eventually pulled even late in the set. With the pressure mounting and little room for error on either side, Sullivan took control of the final points and escaped with a 25-22 victory, giving the Redskins a 1-0 advantage.
Set 2 followed a similar script.
Maroa-Forsyth responded to the difficult opening-set loss by once again battling its way into the lead. The Trojans remained in front for much of the set, but Sullivan stayed within striking distance and prevented Maroa-Forsyth from putting the game out of reach.
That persistence paid off once again in the closing stages.
With the second set tightening late, Sullivan made another push to erase Maroa-Forsyth’s advantage. The Redskins came through in the decisive moments, overtaking the Trojans and closing out another 25-23 win to secure the straight-set victory.
Despite the sweep, the final scores reflected just how evenly matched the two teams were. Only five total points separated Sullivan and Maroa-Forsyth across the two sets, with both teams having opportunities to take control throughout the night.
For Maroa-Forsyth, the Trojans showed their ability to build and maintain leads for long stretches, but Sullivan’s late-set execution ultimately proved to be the difference. The Redskins remained composed when trailing and produced two closing runs to turn a pair of competitive sets in their favor.
Maroa-Forsyth, led by head coach Rachel Petersen, will look to build off the stretches in which the Trojans controlled play, while Sullivan and head coach Heidi Grooms come away with a hard-fought straight-set victory after delivering in the biggest moments of both sets.
Final
Sullivan def. Maroa-Forsyth, 2-0
Set 1: Sullivan 25, Maroa-Forsyth 22
Set 2: Sullivan 25, Maroa-Forsyth 23