Columbia, MD - A strong Northern Virginia Nighthawks team was able to hit their way past the Howard Dragons in straight sets despite a dramatic third set.

Northern Virginia used a 7-0 run in the first set to take an early lead that they were able to hold onto to take the opener 25-17. A similar story occurred in set two with the same server going on a 7-0 run that put Howard away 25-14 as it appeared the Nighthawks would have an easy night of it. 

The third set was anything but easy as Howard jumped out to a 6-2 lead with a couple of aces by Mikaela Brewer (Gaithersburg, MD/Covenant Life). NOVA fought back to take the 13-11 lead, but the two teams exchanged body blows back and forth with neither team able to separate. The Dragons were able to fight off two match points and had four set point possibilities, but the Nighthawks finally were able to pull through with a 31-29 third set win to take the match.

Morgan Conner (Sandy Spring, MD/Sherwood) led the team with 11 kills while Brenna Siperko (Ellicott City, MD/Mt. Hebron) added seven. Brewer picked up 20 assists on the day along with nine digs while Eryca Sterling (Columbia,MD/Wilde Lake) led the defensive efforts with 11 digs. Howard also had six blocks led by Jessica Hendricks (Woodbine, MD/Covenant Life) with three of them. 

The Dragons will next travel to western Pennsylvania for a tri-match that will include a couple of regional rivals in Westmoreland and Butler on Saturday, September 24 starting at 11 AM.