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Fifteen minutes prior to their Class 4A West Region first round playoff match, the fourth-seeded Wootton girls volleyball team showed off their dance moves, performing the "Cupid Shuffle."

Then they really got down.

The host Patriots advanced to the quarterfinal round in style, defeating No. 13 Sherwood, 25-18, 25-20, 22-25, 26-24.

"That was great," said Wootton head coach Mary Malinauskas. "I actually would have been disappointed if [Sherwood] didn't take at least one [set] from us. It would not have been right since they had a great year."

The Patriots (16-5) came out loose and relaxed, easily controlling the first two sets.

In the third, the Warriors (12-8) began to find their way. Led by senior Robbin Lee (15 kills) and freshman Alex Holston (12), they controlled most of the set and built a 14-6 lead. They also held a 20-14 advantage following consecutive K.C. Emerson kills.

But the Patriots staged a furious rally and cut the deficit to two, 24-22, following an Allison Wynant (10 kills) kill and team block. An unforced error ended their comeback attempt.

The fourth set was an exciting back-and-forth affair. Sherwood had a match point opportunity at 24-23.

But Patriots right side hitter Zofia Poltorak (seven kills) had other ideas. The senior recorded a kill and block on the ensuing two points, and Sherwood erred on the final point to end the match.

"I am just so excited and I've been on adrenaline all day," Poltorak said. "We've had the hardest week ever the past week to train for playoffs. It was hard. I hated it, but it was amazing."

Added Malinauskas: "I was the meanest coach ever the past few weeks. We were in a slump and have worked hard. The turning point was the Poolesville match [Oct. 27]. We got swept there and the girls woke up and realized what kind of volleyball they needed to play."

Abby Hsiung led the attack with 14 kills, while senior setter Jenn Chen dished out assists on virtually every Wootton point.

The Patriots will host No. 5 Paint Branch — which they beat in five sets on Oct. 1 — on Monday at 6 p.m.

Despite the loss, Sherwood is on the upswing. The Warriors graduate just three players, while their nucleus of junior middle Emerson, sophomore libero Sydney West (24 digs), and freshmen Holston and Maddie Moyer all return.

In other action...

4A West

- No. 9 Blair downed No. 8 Springbrook, 25-14, 24-26, 25-12, 25-12. Senior outside hitters Sibyl Brown (14 kills, 12 digs) and Katie Hague (eight aces, four kills) led the attack, while setter Julia Skolnik dished out 24 assists. Sophomore Nika Lilley also contributed with three blocks.

The Blazers travel to No. 1 Magruder on Monday at 6:30 p.m.

- No. 10 Richard Montgomery swept No. 7 Whitman 25-11, 25-18, 25-5, for its fourth consecutive victory. It was the Rockets' first playoff win in five years. They travel to No. 2 Gaithersburg on Monday at 6:30 p.m.

- No. 6 Churchill came back to defeat Bethesda-Chevy Chase, 23-25, 20-25, 25-19, 25-23, 16-14. The Bulldogs travel to No. 3 Walter Johnson on Monday at 6 p.m.

3A West

- On the strength of its service game, No. 4 Blake swept No. 13 Seneca Valley, 25-11, 25-16, 25-13. Meagan Lagerlef paced the Bengals with 14 kills.

- Clarksburg celebrated its first playoff victory in school history: a 25-10, 25-14, 25-23 win over Einstein. The No. 7 Coyotes travel to No. 2 South Hagerstown on Monday.

- No. 9 Quince Orchard defeated No. 8 Tuscarora in five sets. They travel to No. 1 Damascus.

- Northwood fell to Frederick on Thursday.