In some of the best state playoff volleyball you might see, Bridgeport and Robert C. Byrd played an epic five-set match to determine who would stay in the winner's bracket in this region.

In the end, it was the Indians that would prevail after being down 0-2. They play again Wednesday looking to punch a ticket to the state.

RCB started the match on fire being the aggressor, being more effective at the net, and making fewer errors to win the first set 25-23. Even though the first set score was close, you never had the sense that the Indians were in control. They had a lead at 14-9 when Byrd took a timeout. From that point RCB exerted its will, tied it at 16 then took a lead they would never relinquish.

The second set was more of the same, the visitors imposing their will and playing the cleaner game winning by an even more dominant score of 25-18. In that second set, Bridgeport seemed to be getting it together starting fast with a 7-2 lead. It vanished when RCB tied it at 8. At that point the Eagles took control, pushing ahead for the lead and coasting to a 25-18 win.

Down 2-0, one set away from a crushing defeat, had the injuries and inexperience finally caught up with the Lady Indians?

Coach Ali Burton’s message to her team after going down 0-2 was both blunt and honest.

“I was very real, I told them you keep doing what you are doing and lose in three and have to turn right around and have to play for your season again, or you can settle in, take care of service, pass, talk to each other, play one point at a time, and play how we know how," said Burton.

The third set started out tight, as Byrd could see the end in sight to achieve a monumental win. The guests went up 8-6, but Bridgeport came back to tie it at 12.

"Riley Decker did a great job getting some blocks, she had some big plays at the net and that helped us settle in and get some momentum," Burton said. "Then, our serving got better. It was awful at the beginning."

After the third set was tied at 12, Bridgeport took its first lead since early in the second set, pushed it out to 15-12 then 20-14, and finished it out 25-19 to stay alive.

In the fourth set, Bridgeport kept the momentum and would not relinquish it. You could see the Eagles start to crack and the Indians assert themselves. Bridgeport went up 11-7, pushed out that advantage to 15-8, and was never threatened the rest of the set winning 25-17.

"We were worried about them and not taking of us the first two sets," said Burton. "Once we settled in and started taking care of how we play volleyball, how we communicate as a team, and do the things we need to do, good things will happen."

The fifth set is only to 15 so a fast start is crucial. With the scored tied at 2, Bridgeport hit another gear, playing inspired, team-oriented play. No longer were they tentative, they were in control. The Tribe pushed the lead out to 8-2, and then 11-3. The Eagles tried to make a comeback and got it to 12-7, but that’s as close as they would get as the Indians closed out the fifth set and match winning 15-7.

“I’m very proud of them. They showed a lot of grit and at this time of year you’ve got to have that. You can’t play not to lose, you have to play to win," she said after the comeback.

Bridgeport will play Robert C. Byrd who toppled Elkins in the elimination game that took place right after Bridgeport’s match with the Eagles. Wednesday night’s battle has the potential of a berth in the final eight in Charleston. It will be played at 6 p.m. at the BHS gym. If BHS loses, the two teams will then battle in a final match for the right to make it to Charleston.

Survive and advance, that is the mantra during the state volleyball playoffs. Bridgeport was able to Monday night over a feisty Eagles team. Can the Indians punch their ticket for Charleston Wednesday night?

PHOTO GALLERY BELOW BY JOE LAROCCA.

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