It doesn’t come much closer than that.

Sheffield volleyball was on the verge of picking up its first dual match win of the season Tuesday, but the Wolverines were unable to close it out and dropped a 5-set thriller to Ridgway. Sheffield won the first two sets, but Ridgway came back to win the final three.

“We’re just inexperienced when it comes to finishing and winning,” Sheffield coach Melissa Lemay said.

“The girls have to keep the intensity level up and that has to come from inside. They have to want it more than the six girls on the other side of the net.”

The Wolverines won the first set 25-20, then put away the second 25-19. Ridgway led for the entire third set to cut the match lead to 2-1.

“When we started to lose in the third, you could see the switch flip,” Lemay said. “We played flat.”

The Elkers led by six in the fourth, but the Wolverines were able to tie it. Sheffield was unable to put the set and match away and Ridgway won 25-21 to force the decisive fifth set.

“In the fourth, we were down six and tied it up, then we had the energy,” Lemay said. “We need to have that energy all the time. I don’t think you can teach that. It will come when the wins come. But we have to get that one (win).”

Ridgway won the final set, 15-9, to complete the comeback.

Marissa Grubbs had 27 digs and five aces. Emily Leichtenberger had 16 digs and 10 kills, while Annabel Sheldon had 11 digs, six kills and six aces. Lynzie Grubbs had six kills and three blocks and Megan Johnson had three kills to go with 26 assists.

Sheffield won the junior varsity match, 25-16 and 25-19.

Alexa Whipple had two kills and seven aces. Maddy Roell had 10 digs, Lexi Goldthwaite had seven assists and Sydney Smead added three kills in the win.

Sheffield will try again Thursday for that elusive first win in a match against visiting Brockway.

“We’ve been in the situation with St. Marys, Youngsville and Ridgway where we’ve won the first game or two, but we have to get across the finish line,” Lemay said.

“They want it. They want it so bad, but they have to figure out a way emotionally. They’re talented enough to do it, but we don’t have the mental toughness yet.”