The Parkland boys volleyball team has not been challenged much this season. The Trojans came into last Wednesday night's showdown at Emmaus with a 7-0 record in the Lehigh Valley Conference. But that quickly changed as the Green Hornets (7-1 overall, 6-1 LVC) gave Parkland its first loss of the season, 3-2 by scores of 25-13, 18-25, 24-26, 25-18, and 22-24.

The Trojans had their chances with five serves on match point in the final game, but just couldn't put away Emmaus as the Green Hornets kept fighting back.

That was evidenced after a game one blowout by the Trojans. Emmaus took back the mometum by taking games two and three, holding on for a two-point win in the third game.

"This is what makes coaching fun," said Parkland head coach Scott Trumbauer. "Unfortunately we came up on the wrong end tonight."

Parkland bounced back to win game four and set up a do-or-die game five. It was back-and-forth the entire set with neither team leading by more than two points (Emmaus held a 12-10 advantage).

Both teams failed to end the game when they each had consecutive match points. The Green Hornets missed two opportunities, while the Trojans couldn't convert on five straight to end it.

That came back to haunt Parkland when Patrick Bryan sent home a spike that landed inbounds to send the Green Hornets into a celebration.

"We got a little tentative," said Trumbauer. "We had three swings for it (game five), and we made three errors. That's never a good percentage, especially in those situations."

Sophomore Kyle Stout led the Trojans with 16 kills. Tyler Phifer had 11 kills and four blocks, and Derrick Rice tallied six kills and Derrick Rice tallied six kills and four blocks.

"Throw the records out when Parkland and Emmaus meet," said Trumbauer. "It doesn't matter. What matters is who's playing the best at the time."

These two teams are sure to meet again down the road in the postseason.