MARRIOTTSVILLE, MD — Correction: An earlier version of this article stated that Howard would be competing in the 3A East regional playoffs. Howard will be competing in the 4A North playoffs.
For the second straight night, the Marriotts Ridge volleyball team found itself on the brink of defeat. And for the second straight night, the Mustangs battled all the way back.
After earning a comeback win over Wilde Lake on Tuesday night, the Mustangs celebrated their senior recognition night with a stirring 18-25, 23-25, 25-22, 25-23, 15-10 victory on Wednesday.
"This year they've just always had incredible heart," coach Amanda Olsen said. "They never stop. They never stop throwing themselves on the floor, they never stop fighting. I wasn't 100 percent sure that we were going to win, but I knew that we were going to be competitive and push to the very end."
Marriotts Ridge seniors Mikaila Fitzpatrick (15) and Allie Desmond (13) combined for 28 kills, and Desmond came through with the match winner.
"Our team is really strong," said Desmond, who also had three point blocks. "My adrenaline is all over the place. This was so much fun."
The Mustangs had been shut out by Reservoir earlier this season in straight sets.
"We didn't want that to happen again," Desmond said. "We knew they beat Glenelg yesterday ... we said we're going to come out and we're going to beat Reservoir. Nobody expected us and that's what made it ten times better."
Prior to the five set win over Wilde Lake on Tuesday, Marriotts Ridge had lost twice this season in five sets: to Wilde Lake and Howard.
"Fifth games are rough but winning fifth games is the greatest feeling in the world," said Desmond, who scored five of her team's last six points in the fifth set.
Seniors Julia Kim (25 digs, 5 aces) and Anna Geier (7 kills) also had big performances, as did juniors Molly Meininger (15 kills, 25 digs, 3 aces), Rachel Dubbs (54 assists) and Grace McCoy (8 kills).
"We played our hearts out and this means a lot for us going into the playoffs," said Fitzpatrick, who added 20 digs and played virtually every point of ten sets over two nights. "I was impressed by everyone, all of the seniors and all of the juniors ... we need some ice."
Maddy Belt had 22 kills and two aces for Reservoir. Sophomore Amaka Chuckwujekwu had seven kills and five blocks, and junior Diana Yuille added five kills and three blocks. Junior Sydney Lanham chipped in six kills, while senior libero Barbara Kelley was the foundation of the back row defense.
The two teams finish the regular season with identical 8-5 league records.
Reservoir will now do battle with county champion Glenelg (11-2) — along with Atholton, River Hill and Wilde Lake — in Section II of the Class 3A East regional playoffs, while Marriotts Ridge looks to be the team to beat in Section I of the 2A South. Howard, which also finished 11-2 but lost head-to-head to Glenelg in mid-October, moves on to the competitive 4A North playoffs.
"All season long we've been competitive with teams. At the end of every match we've said 'We played well and we fought hard and we did really good things but we lost the game and we need to work on finishing it'," Olsen said. "I think that last night and tonight will give us the confidence going into the playoffs that we can finish it and we can end up with the win."