With five teams with 6-2 records after Tuesday, the match between Glenelg and Atholton on Thursday night was especially important.
Glenelg (7-2) prevailed at Atholton (6-3), 23-25, 25-15, 21-25, 25-16, 15-7.
Atholton had been undefeated in the league after six matches, including wins over 2010 state finalist Marriotts Ridge and 14-time state champion Centennial, but have now lost three in a row. The Raiders' win over Centennial ended a 49-match league winning streak for the Eagles. A week later, Glenelg also defeated Centennial.
"We really wanted this bad and we knew that Atholton is a good team, we just picked up everything and worked together really well," defensive specialist Shannon Long said.
In addition to playing excellent defense, Long — a returning second-team all-county selection — had ten aces, including eight in the second set.
"I was just trying to serve away from the libero, see where the empty spots were and try to keep it away and serve hard," she said.
Atholton won the first set on the strength of three kills and a block by Amanda Goodspeed, and took a 2-1 lead after Goodspeed had two aces and a block in the third set. McKay Evans and Sarah Wagoner had three kills each in the third set as well.
But Glenelg forced a fifth set when Morgan Perry (4 kills) and Molly Calvert (3 kills, block) powered the Gladiators to a decisive victory in the fourth.
After jumping ahead in the tiebreaking fifth set, 5-3, Glenelg didn't look back. Erin Jollota (2 kills, block) and Perry (2 kills, ace) led the way in the final set.
"We started off strong and we really wanted it, and we were on a roll so there was no way we were going to lose," said Long, whose younger sister Camryn led the way to victory as the team's setter.
Perry finished with a match-high 12 kills for Glenelg, while Aly Dillon added ten.
Leading the way for Atholton were Goodspeed (7 kills, 3 aces, 2 blocks), Natalie Alper (5 kills, 3 aces), Wagoner (8 kills) and Evans (9 kills). Vashti Burke led the team defensively, while setter Naomi Burke ran the offense.
At 9-0, River Hill remains the last undefeated team in Howard County.
Around the league
Centennial (7-2) swept Oakland Mills (0-9), 25-11, 25-15, 25-11.
Reservoir (7-2) swept Hammond (2-7), 3-0.
Howard (3-6) defeated Wilde Lake (2-7), 25-20, 25-15, 24-26, 25-19.
River Hill (9-0) swept Marriotts Ridge (6-3), 25-21, 25-11, 25-20.
Long Reach (0-8) at Mt. Hebron (4-4).