Keyser, WV - The Howard Community College Dragons split their second tri-match of the season last Saturday, defeating the Chesapeake College Skipjacks while falling to the WVU Potomac State Catamounts.

Game One: Dragons 3, Skipjacks 0
The Dragons came out swinging in game one of their tri-match as they swept Chesapeake College 3-0 in dominant fashion. The Dragons' performance was nothing short of spectacular, as they executed their game plan with precision and overwhelmed the Skipjacks.

The Dragons established an early lead in the opening set, then held off a Skipjack comeback to take the set 25-18. The Skipjacks struggled to match Howard's speed and intensity of their attacks. Chesapeake was able to mount a brief rally in the second set, but Howard quickly shut them down. The Dragons never allowed Chesapeake to string together a run of points, taking the second set 25-17. The third set was more of the same, as Chesapeake struggled to contain the Dragons attack. While the Skipjacks were able to score a few points of their own, they were no match for the Dragons. Howard took the set 25-11 in a statement sweep.

HCC"s offense was led by Arianna Layne (Bridgetown, Barbados/Combermere School) and Zyon Austin (Odenton, MD/Meade) who led the team in kills with ten each. Cheyenne Ellis (Eldersburg, MD/Century) was instrumental in distributing the ball as always, leading the team in assists with a whopping 28.

Game Two: Catamounts 3, Dragons 0
The second game of Saturday's tri-match saw the Dragons struggle to find rhythm against the WVU Potomac State Catamounts. The Dragons fell 3-0 in a tough sweep.

Howard traded points with the Catamounts in the first set, but it quickly became evident that the Catamounts aggressive serving and consistent defense was disrupting the Dragons attack. Howard fell in the first set 25-21, then regrouped for the second set. Potomac State's momentum was too much to overcome, though the Dragons kept it in reach as they only lost 25-22. The third set saw the Catamounts pull away to a 25-13 victory.

Arianna Layne (Bridgetown, Barbados/Combermere School) led the Dragons in kills with four. Cheyenne Ellis (Eldersburg, MD/Century) led the team in assists with nine, while she and Layne led the team in digs with ten and 15 respectively.

The loss drops the Dragons to 3-4 on the season and leaves them with mixed feelings, though they will look to regroup in their next match. Howard travels to Anne Arundel Community College this weekend for a tri-match with the Riverhawks and the Monroe University Mustangs!