By Juliana Yao, Co-Sports Editor

The Conestoga girls’ volleyball team played its first home game of the season, securing a 3-2 win over Notre Dame.

The Pioneers started out strong, maintaining an early lead in the first set. However, the Notre Dame Irish made a comeback and extended the set into a deuce, ultimately winning it 26-24. After taking back the second set 25-20, the ’Stoga girls were ahead once again in the third set with the help of setter Anya Walkeim’s assists. By the call of Notre Dame’s timeout, Conestoga was ahead by eight points. The Irish were unable to close the gap, and Conestoga led 2-1 at the end of the third set.

The teams fought neck-and-neck in the fourth set. While the Pioneers were able to pull ahead mid-set, the Irish soon caught up. As both teams’ points approached the 20s, neither would relent, and the game dragged into a deuce. After a prolonged back-and-forth, Notre Dame prevailed with a score of 33-31, bringing the game into the fifth set. In the final set, the close game continued, but the Pioneers were able to seal the win after several service errors from the opposing team.

The girls will play their next match at West Chester Rustin High School on Thursday, Aug. 31. 

Check out some photos from the game below!

Juliana Yao can be reached at [email protected].