Box Score Arnold, MD – The Dragons went the distance in a five set slugfest, but ultimately fell to Anne Arundel 19-25, 25-23, 25-21, 16-25, 15-13. Vanessa Miller (Germantown, MD/Gaithersburg), Lal Mawi (Laurel, MD/Reservoir), and Sydnei Harmon (Largo, MD/Flowers) all finished with double digit kills in the match to lead the Howard efforts despite the loss.
 
The Dragons came out of the gates firing in the first set as Miller swatted down five kills and Howard took a convincing lead. Makayla Holland (Gaithersburg, MD/Gaithersburg) seemed to have the match well in hand as she went on to tally 34 assists on the day.
 
Anne Arundel found their stride after that as they were able to take the second and third sets, taking advantage of Howard miscues to go up 2-1. Harmon was able to pick up a couple of blocks, but the situation looked bleak for the Dragons.
 
A calmer Howard side jumped out to a great fourth set as Sarah McKenzie (Mount Airy, MD/Glenelg) hit three straight aces in the to vault the Dragons to an early lead. Mawi hit a hot stretch on her way to a 11 kill night and the Dragons tied the match up at 2-2.
 
Competing in a fifth set for the first time this season, the Dragons dug themselves a 7-3 hole before a big Mawi kill and a McKenzie ace pulled the momentum back. Trailing 10-5, Ashlee Forde (Barbados/Foundation) hit three huge spikes in a four point series to bring the Dragons back within striking distance. After a few service errors, Harmon crushed her 10^th kill of the night to make it a 14-13 Anne Arundel lead. The Riverhawks would be able to close out the match on the next point in a thrilling five set match.
 
The Dragons will next compete in a tri-match against Harford and Beaver County on Saturday, September 9 starting at 12 PM. The matches will all be played at Marriotts Ridge High School in Marriottsville, MD.