By Robert Hudson

The Selma Times-Journal

After falling into a two-set deficit and being on the verge of defeat, the Dallas County Lady Hornets volleyball team stormed back to defeat the Sumter Central High School Jaguars 3-2 (25-23, 25-16, 25-23, 25-21, 16-14).

The Lady Hornets (5-14, 2-2) trailed a few times, but their head coach Linda Moore said they never gave up.

“The key to tonight’s game was the girls never gave up,” Moore said. “They had heart. They played with heart. That was the key to the game.”

Moore also said the Hornets were able to pull off the comeback because they came together.

“They realized that we’re a family and one can’t do anything without the other,” Moore said.

“So, they came together as a family.”

After capturing the first set 25-23, the Lady Hornets were never able to gain a lead in the second set as the Jaguars won 24-16.

In a third set that saw five lead changes and ties, and even saw the Lady Hornets take the lead, Dallas County could not hold off the Jaguars at the end as they fell 25-23.

Both teams were tied nine times in the fourth set, but the Lady Hornets were able to turn a late lead into a 25-21 set victory to force a fifth set.

The Jaguars took an early 7-3 lead in the final set, but the Lady Hornets were able to surge back and capture the set and match.

De’Undria Boggs led the Lady Hornets with 8 kills, while Achandra Harrell added 4 kills.

Amy Persinger led the Lady Hornets with 5 service aces.