In order to face the top-seeded Bowie Bulldogs in the next round of the 4A South regional playoffs, the eighth-seeded Laurel volleyball team had to get past a familiar pesky county opponent, the Bladensburg Mustangs, a team they defeated narrowly in straight sets earlier this season.
Although the Spartans won that first match, 26-24, 26-24, 25-15, it was a little too close for comfort.
Thursday's game, however, was a different story as the Spartans dominated the Mustangs, thrashing them in straight sets, 25-13, 25-23, 25-12, to move on to the quarterfinals of the playoffs and improve to 9-5 on the season.
"Our mindset was to go out there and play like we know how to play — like a team," junior Danielle Conway said. "Our last game was close, even though we won, so we wanted to keep our cool."
After trading points early in the first set, Laurel pulled away from the Mustangs with mistake-free play and solid serving. Both teams started off slow, but with Laurel leading, 13-10, the Spartans were starting to dominate the Mustangs, scoring eight of the next nine points to build their lead to 21-11. With Conway serving, she pounded an ace to take the first set, 25-13.
The second set was much like the first game the teams played – back and forth. It was Bladensburg who took the early advantage in the set, capitalizing on the lack of conversation on the Laurel side, taking a 14-8 lead. Laurel, however, stormed back taking eight of the next 10 points scored to tie the set, 16-16. Again tied at 20-20, Laurel would score the next four points en route to a 25-23 win to gain a 2-0 set advantage.
"I think everyone's energy level just went down a bit in the second set," Conway said. "We were all tired but we knew we had to finish it out so they couldn't get back in the match."
The Spartans seemed to find their groove in the third and final set, dominating the Mustangs by winning 14 of the last 18 points. Laurel would go on to win the set easily behind steady serving and conservative play, 25-12.
"I'm nervous about our next game (at Bowie) but we're excited to play," Conway said. "We really want to win and move on, so that's our expectation – to win."
Laurel plays in the 4A South quarterfinal at Bowie on Monday, Nov. 7.