Columbia, MD - In one of the greatest tri-matches ever played at Howard Community College, the HCC Dragons split their final tri-match of the season, losing 3-0 to the Cecil College Seahawks while defeating the Allegany College of Maryland Trojans 3-2.

Facing two teams that could be potential playoff opponents, the Dragons needed to win at least one game to keep their postseason aspirations alive and well. They wouldn't get that assurance in game one, despite a close battle with the Seahawks, but game two saw an incredible comeback and victory for the Dragons in five sets. The split series moved the Dragons to 7-7 overall and 6-6 in conference play.

Game One: Seahawks 3, Dragons 0
The Dragons set the tone for a record-breaking day in their opening set, narrowly losing out to the Seahawks 27-25. Howard proved in the first set that they were on the same level as the Seahawks, forcing extra volleys and making Cecil work for the win. Set two would also come down to the wire, as the Seahawks narrowly won 25-23. Both sets saw the Dragons answer the Seahawks blow-for-blow, but they couldn't overcome mistakes that Cecil pounced on. The Seahawks finally pulled away in the third set to win 25-18, though the Dragons led for much of the set.

Arianna Layne (Bridgetown, Barbados/Combermere School) led the Dragons with seven kills and six digs. Gracie Close (Elkridge, MD/Long Reach) recorded six kills and five digs, while Cheyenne Ellis (Eldersburg, MD/Century) recorded 20 assists. Stefamae Barquillia (Samar, The Philippines/Einstein) recorded 25 digs on the defensive end, while Zyon Austin (Odenton, MD/Meade) added 11 digs.

Game Two: Dragons 3, Trojans 2
Game two was easily the best game hosted at the Kahlert Foundation Complex since the Dragons returned. The Dragons took control in the first set, handily winning 25-17. However, the Trojans struck back with a ferocity in set two, winning 25-12 and seemingly smashing the Dragons hopes for a win. Set three would prove to be the wildest set yet, going to extra volleys and featuring 60 total points scored. The Dragons had set point, but couldn't put the Trojans away, as Allegany slipped out the 31-29 win.

Set four was a critical match for the Dragons, who responded with a 25-10 blowout to force a fifth winner-take-all set. The Dragons by this point were exhausted, but continued to play as hard as possible. Cheyenne Ellis (Eldersburg, MD/Century) even launched herself into the scorer's table at one point to keep a volley alive. Howard took the early lead in the fifth set, then slowly crept away from the Trojans to reach game point. Zyon Austin (Odenton, MD/Meade) smashed through an Allegany block attempt to get the final kill, clinching the 15-12 win for the Dragons.

The Dragons set several in-season records in their 3-2 win. Austin led the team with 12 kills and 13 digs. Layne added 11 kills, two aces, and 24 digs. Abigail Leis (Ellicott City, MD/Mt. Hebron) recorded ten kills, eight aces, and four digs. Gracie Close (Elkridge, MD/Long Reach) was in double-digits with ten kills and five digs, while Cheyenne Ellis (Eldersburg, MD/Century) added five kills, 40 assists, five aces, and 14 digs. Stefamae Barquillia (Samar, The Philippines/Einstein) added 43 digs and two aces for the Dragons.

Howard next takes on the Carroll Community College Lynx on Tuesday, October 7 at 6:00 PM in a non-conference showdown.