The Whitehall girls volleyball team staged a furious comeback to extend the match to a deciding fifth game against Easton Area High School Tuesday night at Zephyr Gymnasium.

In the hole 0-2 to their Lehigh Valley Conference foes, the Zephs rallied to win the next two games, sending the match to the pivotal game five tiebreaker.

However, the Red Rovers got their mojo back, bolting out to an early lead from which Whitehall could never recover, winning 15-7 to earn the victory.

While it was a spirited comeback, led by the outstanding play of senior Olivia Bobyak, the Zephs couldn't sustain the momentum once the match reached the final game. They were quickly in the hole, 0-4, forcing head coach Rob Gardner to call a time out. The break gave them a bit of life, but Easton continued to apply the pressure as Whitehall could never dent that early cushion.

Gardner said that it was a matter of coming up short once they fell behind.

"We dig ourselves a hole and it's hard to get out of," said Gardner. "They're a good team, they played well, and their No. 25 hitter did a really good job against us."

That No, 25 was outside hitter Courtney Horace who struck the ball with ferocity the entire match, helping to lead Easton to the win.

Still, Gardner said that each loss was a result of falling too far behind.

"We tried, but it was just too much," he said.

The loss in five games, 19-25, 21-25, 25-25. 25-19, 7-15 puts Whitehall at 3-3 on the season.

Bobyak had a marvelous all-around game for the Zephs. The senior was a big reason the match went into the fifth game. She was a beast on the front line, registering 15 kills, one of those resulting in the game winner to send the match to the final game. Additionally, she had a superb service game in the wins, and finished with three aces. She also had six digs and three blocks.

"She played hard," said Gardner. "Olivia's a great player for us, and she has really stepped up our offense."

Bobyak felt that in the final game she could have played better as she missed some opportunities for points.

She also said that they needed to play better as a team, with the crucial game five a reflection of their inability to get over the hump.

"We fell apart," she said.

Bobyak said they were unwilling to get swept and that fueled their comeback. She knew they could play better, and decided to make sure the Red Rovers knew they were in for a long night.

"We stepped our game up and came back and won," said Bobyak.

Also playing well for the Zephs were Madison Scarfaro, Cristal Fernandez and Tanesia Rehrig.

Last Tuesday the Zephs lost to Nazareth Area High School in four games. Gardner said they gave a good effort, but couldn't get the win.

"We played hard and gave them a run," said Gardner. "They have a very quick team. They won the first two games and we won the third, and then lost the fourth. They also lost to Parkland High School in three games, 25-11, 25-18, 25-13.

They bounced back with a win over Liberty High School last Friday. They won in four games, 26 -24, 21-25, 26 -24, 25 -21.

Gardner said that keeping their front line from doing a lot of damage was the key.

"We were able to contain Liberty's excellent outside hitter, and then make the right play at key moments, to win very close and exciting games." said Gardner. "The girls played well considering that our setter and outside hitter Becca Lutterschmidt was unable to play due to a sprained ankle she received during the Parkland match on Wednesday."

In that game, Bobyak had 16 kills in addition to a number of blocks, and Liz Lynch, who changed positions to outside, had 6 kills.

Gardner also said that their back row did a good job picking up the offensive attacks from liberty, with Kori Koehler and Rehrig finishing with 9 and 10 digs, respectively.