How well you play in defeat against Centennial has become the new benchmark for Howard County volleyball teams. The undefeated Eagles (6-0) have not dropped a game yet, but trailed visiting Reservoir, 22-14, in game two of Centennial's 25-13, 25-23, 25-14 sweep of the defending county, region and Class 3A state champions Sept. 22.

The second game "was perfect," Reservoir coach Carole Ferrante said. "When I called timeout at (22-21), I said I don't care if we lose, just get out there and keep playing and keep showing them you're not going to roll over, just show that we're still a team that at the end of the season, people aren't going to be walking all over."

The Gators earned a measure of pride from forcing the Eagles to take their first timeout of the season. Until Monday, with the score, 14-8, in game two, Centennial coach Larry Schofield had not had occasion to stop the action mid-game to talk things over.

"That's the first timeout we've called all year," senior Kristin Anderson said. "(Schofield) basically told us ... you guys have got to get it together, and so he let us go, and our captains talked it out. We all talked it out with each other, to hustle after every ball and to get everything, which is exactly what we did."

The Gators scored four straight points after the timeout before Centennial got back into it. Down, 22-16, sophomore Sam Brostrom stepped to the line after a Kristin Anderson point block and won four service points, capped by an ace.

"Going up to serve was really nerve wracking, but I just kept my cool and we came back," said Brostrom, who had a team-high 10 kills and was 16-for-16 serving. Falling behind "was kind of surprising and a little confusing," she added.

But that shock was good for the Eagles, says Schofield, as it spurred them on to a 9-1 run to close the gap and win the game.

"They got a challenge and they responded to it, one point at a time, we're all excited about that," he said.

Anderson, who was at the service line for the last three points of game two, agreed.

"I know the second game was the best game I've seen us play all year. We dug ourselves out of a hole and that shows a lot of character," she said.

Reservoir junior Julie Poston crushed a match-high 12 kills, including one that bounced off the block all the way back past the baseline.

"I feel very confident, cause of my defense having my back, that I can just swing as hard as I can," said Poston, who had 214 kills last season.

Through six league matches, Centennial is running away from the pack. The Eagles have recorded three-game sweeps over second-place Mt. Hebron (5-1) and Wilde Lake (5-1) and play River Hill (5-1), who lost to Wilde Lake, Oct. 16.

The Eagles will know where they stand statewide after the Bulldog Classic Saturday, Sept. 27 at North Caroline High School. The tournament will feature the top private and public schools from all over the state, including Reservoir, River Hill and Wilde Lake.

"Our pool is really hard," Brostrom said. "We have a lot of state champs in there and regional, county winners. It's going to be a challenge, but we're ready for it."

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