MEADVILLE, Pa. – Warren County Christian School traveled to Meadville on Tuesday and came out on the short end of a five-set thriller – 26-24, 11-25, 8-25, 25-22, 15-13.

“These are two very evenly matched teams,” said WCCS coach Mark Brenner. “It was on their turf and they were able to finish it.”

He also pointed out the differences in the sets.

“The sets we did really well Emma Marino had a nice jump service working,” coach Brenner said. “The sets we did poorly on it was mostly serve-receive problems. Just a tale of high-energy, high-excitement and then a letdown.”

Leading the Lady Lions were McKenna Phelps 3 service points, 2 kills, 2 assists, 2 digs; Rachel Beatty 5 service points, 1 ace, 1 kill, 10 assists; Emma Marino 21 service points, 9 aces, 14 kills, 1 block, 5 digs; Krystal Kinney 2 service points, 2 digs, Gwen Reed 5 assists, Kiara Baker 5 service points, 1 ace, 5 kills, 1 block, 2 digs and Emily Cox 2 service points, 2 assists, 2 digs.

“I’m very proud of the girls, they played really hard,” Brenner said.

WCCS rolled to a 2-0 win in the JV contest, 25-5, 25-22.

Reed 10 service points, 9 aces, 2 kills, 1 assist; Kinney 5 service points, 2 aces, 1 kill; Baker 10 service points, 5 aces, 2 kills, 1 assist, 3 digs, Jael Brenner 3 service points, 2 aces, 1 dig, Emily Cox 5 service points, 2 aces, 1 dig and Gracia Clark 3 service points, 1 ace, 2 kills, 1 block, 3 digs led Warren County Christian.

“Good serving by Gwen Reed and good number of kills and energy brought by Gracia Clark,” noted Brenner. “She did a great job. Good serving by Kiara too. First set was largely just a serving marathon.”

The Lady Lions return to action Saturday, where they will be one of the teams competing at the Sheffield Tournament.