Columbia, MD - Dragons celebrated sophomore day this past Saturday, with a win against Baltimore City (25-8, 25-15, 25-10), and a five set thriller against Garrett College (21-25, 26-24, 12-25, 25-21, 13-15) that ended in a loss.
Game 1: Dragons v. Lakers
The Dragons faced a schedule change, kicking off their final home tri-match against the Lakers. Despite keeping the Lakers close in the first set, Garrett's effective middle-heavy offense and strong finishes led to a 25-21 victory.
Howard rallied in the second set, winning 26-24. Abigail Leis' (Ellicott City, MD/Mt. Hebron) five blocks were instrumental in shutting down Garrett's offense. However, Garrett dominated the third set, capitalizing on Howard's errors to take it 25-12.
The fourth set was crucial for Howard, who started with high energy and ultimately pulled out the win. A final offensive effort from Mayoli Feliho (Jessup, MD/Hammond) sealed the deal for the Dragons to take set 4 and make it an even playing field. In the decisive fifth set, Howard built an early lead but struggled defensively, allowing Garrett to catch up. Despite a late push, the Dragons fell short, losing 15-13 in a hard-fought battle against a playoff contender.
Abigail Leis (Ellicott City, MD/Mt. Hebron) led Howard with 15 blocks and 12 kills. Arianna Layne (Bridgetown, BB/Combermere School) contributed 14 kills, while Mayoli Feliho (Jessup, MD/Hammond) added eight blocks and three kills. Kayden Jeselskis (Baltimore, MD/Rosedale Christian Academy) and Alyssa Kelly (Laurel, MD/Reservoir) pushed out 9 digs a piece, and Cheyenne Ellis (Eldersburg, MD/Century) snagged 21 assists.
Game 2: Dragons v. Panthers
The Dragons showcased a dominant performance, sweeping the Panthers in three sets (25-8, 25-15, 25-10). The Dragons' aggressive play and consistent serving propelled them to victory.
Layne led the way for Howard with a top performance, recording 12 aces, 9 kills, and 8 digs. Jeselskis also contributed with 8 aces and 9 digs. Leis and Ellis added to the offensive output with 4 kills each, while Leis contributed 4 aces and Ellis recorded 6 digs.
Howard will now face a tough challenge as they travel to Harford Community College to take on the nationally ranked Fighting Owls. The match will be played in Bel Air, MD, at 7 PM.