It was one game that could have been the difference in last week's showdown between Liberty and Emmaus on the volleyball court, but that game also turned out to be the nail in the coffin for the Hurricanes.

Liberty was swept in three games last week 16-25, 32-34, 17-25, but their defining run in game two was the decisive bout throughout the match that determined the outcome for both sides.

Battling to a 34-32 defeat was a game that Liberty head coach Neiad Ammary knew would be the difference maker in the clash.

"We were serving the ball well in the second game and when we do that it gives us a better chance to do things on defense," Ammary said. "Then you get some confidence and things get rolling. You can't really replicate that. Then we started the third game with some mistakes and it just became too much to overcome."

The win by the Hornets (9-1, 7-1) was the second this season by Ken Dunkle's crew over the Hurricanes, who knew the significance of winning a tough second game and the ramifications it would have on the Hornets ability to close out the match with a sweep.

"I told the guys that if they could get the win [in game two] that would take the wind out of their sails heading into the third game," Dunkle said. "I think it was important that we put together consistent energy throughout the match and it was good for us to get pushed the way we did in game two. Our guys showed some character there."

Liberty (6-3, 6-2) now takes on Northampton (5-4, 5-3) and Nazareth (9-3, 5-3) this week before wrapping the regular season next week against division foes.

Despite playing a tough game against Emmaus, Ammary hopes that he can find some more tough matches before his team makes a run at the East Penn Conference tournament.

"The frustrating thing about our league is that you don't get consistently good competition," Ammary said. "It's truly tough to prepare for teams like Emmaus or Parkland. We go about two weeks before we face teams that really challenge us and that's frustrating."

Freedom (3-7, 3-5) still hopes to linger with playoff hopes as they traveled to Christopher Dock on Monday and followed that up with Dieruff (2-7, 2-6) on Tuesday. The Pates will also play Emmaus on Thursday this week.

Bethlehem Catholic (0-9, 0-6) has struggled mightily this year and the Hawks week doesn't get easier with Emmaus and Southern Lehigh to start things off.

However, the Hawks may have Thursday's date with Dieruff circled as a chance at their first win of the season.