The Brush Lady Arcs volleyball team opened the night with plenty of energy, taking the first set from the visiting Valley Forge Patriots, but could not maintain that momentum as the Patriots rallied to claim a 3-1 victory Tuesday night at Welser Gym.  Valley Forge prevailed by scores of 20-25, 25-12, 25-13 and 25-19, handing the Lady Arcs their second consecutive loss and moving Brush to 4-4 on the season. Valley Forge improved to 1-6 with the victory.

Brush appeared to have control early, taking the opening set 25-20 behind an aggressive offensive attack and solid defensive play. The Lady Arcs produced 28 kills, 25 assists and 59 digs over the four-set match, along with seven service aces.  But the Patriots answered emphatically in the second set.  Valley Forge jumped on Brush early in Set 2 and cruised to a 25-12 decision, evening the match at one set apiece. The Patriots carried that momentum into the third set, taking a 25-13 victory to move within one set of the match.  Brush refused to go quietly in the fourth.
 
The Lady Arcs battled throughout the final set, but Valley Forge was able to create enough separation late to secure the 25-19 win and close out the 3-1 comeback.

Lady Arcs Statistical Leaders
Brush received a strong all-around effort from several players.  Alaina Appline (#2) led the Lady Arcs with 8 kills, while Lila Goykhberg (#24) added 7 kills. Amarie Merritt (#22) recorded 4 kills, with Mia Peppin (#9) contributing 4 as well. Shilah Sample (#7) and Destiny Johnson (#16) each finished with 2 kills, while Skylar Bradford (#14) added one.
Sample was particularly important in orchestrating the Brush offense, finishing with a team-high 19 assists. Johnson added 3 assists, while Peppin, Merritt and Bradford each recorded one.

Defensively, Prajita Tamang (#4) paced the Lady Arcs with 20 digs, while Goykhberg and Merritt each contributed 8 digs. Sample, Appline and Peppin each added 6 digs.  At the service line, Brush recorded seven aces, with Tamang leading the way with two, while Sample, Peppin, Goykhberg, Merritt and Appline each recorded one.  The Lady Arcs also registered four total blocks, including three assisted blocks from Sample, Peppin, Johnson and others.
 
Looking Ahead
The loss drops Brush to 4-4, but the Lady Arcs have already demonstrated this season that they are capable of playing quality volleyball and competing with tough opponents. Tuesday's match provided another opportunity for a young Brush squad to gain experience and continue building chemistry as the season progresses.  The Lady Arcs will now look to regroup, learn from the four-set battle and get back into the win column in their next outings - they take to the road tomorrow against Lutheran East and Thursday when traveling to Medina Christian Academy before returning to Welser Gym on Tuesday, September 22 vs Maple Heights.
 
Final: Valley Forge Patriots 3, Brush Lady Arcs 1
Set Scores: Valley Forge 20-25, 25-12, 25-13, 25-19
Brush Record: 4-4
Valley Forge Record: 1-6