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The Frederick High volleyball team got a much-needed shot of confidence Tuesday night.
After losing starting setter Courtney Dentinger and a two-game lead, the Cadets regained their composure in time to win a heated fifth game and claim a 3-2 victory over visiting Catoctin.
Even with its 2-7 overall record, Frederick now has a little momentum entering the season's home stretch.
"It feels great because we got the win, that's the most important part," Cadets' junior hitter Haley Nash said. "We also showed ourselves that we can pull through tough situations."
For a while, it looked like Frederick would sweep the match in three games. With Dentinger setting up the powerful combination of Nash and Jenna Connors at the net, the Cadets held a constant advantage through the first two games.
But with her team trailing midway through the third game, Dentinger lunged for a ball sailing out of bounds and collided with a teammate. She left the floor with a bloody nose and watched the rest of the third game and all of the fourth from the bench.
"We had to regroup when she went out, it was a bit of a blow," said Frederick head coach Heather Templeton, who played junior Cathie Thuman and senior Stephanie Kline at setter during Dentinger's absence. "Passing and serve receiving were strengths in those first two games, but we weren't communicating nearly as well after that."
Catoctin (2-10) capitalized on the hole in Frederick's lineup, and senior Devan Dewees turned in a big performance to carry the Cougars into a fourth game. After watching Frederick grab a hard-fought 12-10 lead, Catoctin responded with some big serves from Dewees; including an ace that pushed the Cougars into the lead for good and forced a deciding game.
"We didn't play the way we're capable in the first two games, but starting in the third game we got past some injuries and played better," Catoctin head coach Dana Brashear said.
"We just fell apart at the end."
Dentinger re-entered the match in time to start the fifth game. Catoctin built on its early momentum by seizing a 10-6 advantage, but the Cougars couldn't put away their opposition, Frederick rallied to tie the game at 13-13.
A Nash kill scored the next point, and the lead changed hands five more times before she finally got the chance to serve for match point.
"I'm just glad we won, I was getting pretty stressed," said Nash, who finished with 23 kills, five digs, three aces, and two blocks. Connors turned in 14 kills, and Dentinger had 23 assists and four aces.
Dewees led Catoctin with 19 service points, 5 aces, 14 kills, and 11 digs. Freshman setter Karina Norwood tallied 11 assists.
"It's a big win, definitely a confidence booster," Templeton said. "We've played some close matches this year but have had some trouble finishing them off. This should really help us the rest of the year and in the playoffs."
