If you walked into Swanson Gymnasium during the second or fourth games of the volleyball match this afternoon, you’d have thought our team was in for a drawn-out battle with a thoroughly athletic opponent. If you walked in during the first or third games of the match, you’d have thought our opponent was overmatched and that our girls were in complete control of every facet of the game. Thus, the Ross School displayed schizophrenic tendencies today, at times looking sharp and aggressive, and at others appearing inexperienced and error-prone. The Bears remained even-keeled through the swings, taking the match 3-1.

Set One

Marlee Painter put the Bears in control from the very beginning, recording four aces in her first six serves. Painter’s deadly serve, coupled with a kill by Sammy Petersen and an unforced error by the Cosmos, gave the Brook an early 6-0 lead. Ross climbed back into the game with a few aces of their own to cut their deficit to 6-3, but from there the Bears went on a 19-3 run to take the opener. The stretch was highlighted by a great block by Cordae Mattson, a monster combined block by Joy Ezi and Alissa Holt, and great serving from Hannah Abrahamsen and Petersen, who served out the game with 12 straight points. | 25-6

Set Two

The fans thought they were in for a relaxing, 3-0 sweep, but the Cosmos put those thoughts to bed right away as they scored the first three points of the set on a trio of aces. From there the Bears could not find any rhythm, never scoring more than three consecutive points in a stretch. Every time the girls tried to climb back into the game, Ross would come up with the point they needed to keep them at bay. The Cosmos would take the set as the tension in Swanson rose. | 17-25

Set Three

Ross’ Jekyll and Hyde act continued in the third set. Both teams traded points early and with the game deadlocked at 7-7 it looked like every point the rest of the way would be hotly contested. Instead, the Cosmos scored only two points over the remainder as their penchant for unforced errors returned. The Bears’ run was highlighted by aces from Holt and Painter and a kill from Petersen. | 25-9

Set Four

In the afternoon’s most entertaining set, the Bears fell down early, 3-6. Two kills from Ezi and an ace by Mattson helped them claw back. Ross’ impressive athleticism reared its head as they used defense and explosive offense to retake a 7-10 lead. After a scattering of points from both squads, Ross held a 12-14 advantage when the Brook used a decisive run to take control. An ace by Painter, back-to-back kills by Mattson, and a hard-earned point off a long rally gave the girls the lead back during a nine-point run. Just when it looked like the Cosmos would finally capitulate, they reeled off a 6-1 run to cut the Bears’ lead to 22-20.

A long rally ensued before Petersen came up with the shot of the match. With her back to the net, she sent a high-arcing shot into Ross’ side that cleared the entire team before striking the back line for momentous point. Holt followed with a kill on the next point and Ross failed to return the next serve as the Bears took the set and the match. | 25-20

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