McHenry, MD – Garrett College's strategy Thursday night against Pennsylvania Highlands Community College could be summed up in a single word.

Attack.

The Lady Lakers – who had just seven kills in a straight-set loss to the College of Southern Maryland four days earlier – amassed 29 kills against Penn Highlands. That aggressiveness played a key role in Garrett College's 18-25, 25-17, 25-13, 22-25, 15-10 women's  volleyball win.

"We were on the attack a lot and we had some really good kills," said GC head coach Brittany Jackson. "They pushed through the five games, played hard, played smart, and played as a team."

GC freshman outside/middle hitter Aiyana Yoder had a team-high nine kills. Outside hitter Daphne Harman, the lone sophomore returner from last year's 0-18 squad, added seven kills as the Lady Lakers improved to 1-2 in 2023.

"It was great – the best experience I've had," said Harman. "I have high expectations for the rest of the season."

Penn Highlands, seemingly on the ropes, finished with a 5-1 run to claim Set 4 and force a deciding fifth set. The Black Bears scored five straight points to take a 7-5 lead in the final set, but GC responded with a 6-0 run – the last two points on consecutive aces from Brookelyn Keller (nine digs) – to go in front to stay.

Lady Laker Sadie Portillo clinched the match in style, firing an ace for the final point, setting up a huge celebration of the GC side of the net.

"I was nervous," admitted Portillo, who had a team-high 11 digs. "I was just praying I would get it over the net."

Jackson said Portillo's final play was indicative of her performance throughout the match.

"Sadie was definitely our first line of defense in the back, chasing down balls, diving to the court – she just wouldn't let anything fall in," said Jackson.

Freshman Alexia Wolf, playing her first season as a setter, finished with 18 assists for the Lady Lakers.

"Alex did a great job leading the offense," said Jackson. "She was smart with her choices, setting the hot hitter, playing hard, and going after every ball."

"It's completely different than playing outside hitter," observed Wolf. "It's fun, it's a challenge, and I'm enjoying it."

Neither Wolf nor Penn Highlands setter Autumn Montgomery were enjoying an inordinate amount of double hits called on both teams. Wolf said the key for her was trying to keep her composure while dealing with the tight officiating.

"It was like a roller coaster, but we got everything together eventually," said Wolf, who matched teammate Lily Fialkovic for team-high with five service aces.

GC wasted early 6-3 and 7-4 leads in Set 1 as Penn Highlands (0-2) scored 21 of the set's final 31 points.

The Lady Lakers tied the match with their 25-18 win in Set 2, aided by a Penn Highlands service rotation error that increased what would have been a 21-18 GC advantage to 22-17. Wolf then threw down an ace, Harman earned a key point with an incredible dig, and a dink attempt by Black Bear Taylor Rapsky (match-high 18 kills) went wide.

"An out-of-rotation violation – that can really shift momentum of the game," observed Jackson.

GC dominated the third set, blowing out to 5-1 and 14-5 leads. Penn Highland's fourth-set win set the stage for a Set 5 showdown.

"It feels great because it was an earned win," said Jackson. "Honestly, it could have gone either way. This team worked hard and they earned it."