Lady Eagles Defy Odds in Comeback Against Ramapo

Patchogue, N.Y. – The St. Joseph's Golden Eagles (13-9) took down Ramapo (13-11) in five sets on Friday night. The Eagles went down two sets to one and were one point from elimination, but came roaring back to win it.

St. Joseph's won a back-and-forth first game by the score of 25-22. The Lady Eagles were cruising to a second victory but Ramapo fought their way back into it. After being down as many as six, the Roadrunners refused to run out of steam. They tied the game up at 20 then scored the next three points. Just two points away from tying the match up at one, The Eagles flew back into the set. The game was tied at 23 but the Roadrunners had two straight kills to win the second set. Ramapo pulled away to an eight point lead in game three. The Roadrunners were ready to run away with this one. The Eagles showed their resilience fighting their way back late to bring themselves within two, 24-22, but an attack error by St. Joseph's would give Ramapo the advantage going into game four.

The Eagles couldn't keep up with the Roadrunners in game four. Ramapo got out to an 8-0 lead. The game was seemingly over as Ramapo served for match point leading 24-15 but Emily Guzman put the serve into the net. Three straight aces by the Golden Eagle's Erin Kelly (Ridge, N.Y./Longwood) brought them back with four. Kelly would bring the Eagles within one with two more aces. A ball handling error by Ramapo forced a tie. The Eagles then took a 25-24 lead. Kelly was serving for set point after scoring on ten straight serves. Ramapo wouldn't lay down after blowing the large lead. They tied the game back up at 25. A kill by Heather Ferchland (Selden, N.Y./Centereach) put the Golden Eagles up one and an attack error forced a fifth and final set.

After a back-and-forth start to the deciding set, The Lady Eagles were in a hole, down 12-10. That would be the last point that the Roadrunners would score. After taking a one point lead, Tiffany Willms (Centereach, N.Y./Centereach) served up two aces to give St. Joseph's a monumental victory. Taylor Ahmed (Farmingdale, N.Y./Sachem North) led the Eagles with 41 digs while captain Julianne Tierney (Bethpage, N.Y./Bethpage) added an astounding 50 assists to lead her team to victory.