The building had a feel of a playoff type atmosphere as these two old rivals met this time.

The two teams brought the best out of each other. But in the end it would the Rams escaping in a 5-set victory over the Lady Raiders (25-18, 25-21,25-22 , 17-25, 15-11) in an almost three hour marathon contest.

“We’re making a lot of progress. I think this is like our first big challenge go on the road and go five and see what we’re made off,” said Bellefonte coach Monica Smith. “I think we have some more growing to do but I proud of how we played and we never gave up.”

Going into the final set of the evening, the match was knotted a two games apiece.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte players give pre-game high fives before a volleyball match against Penns Valley on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, at Penns Valley. The Red Raiders fell 3-2.

In the final match, the two continued to battle like they did through the first four and the match would not be decided until late in the game.

Bellefonte broke out on the scoreboard and with the strength of serving from Ella Novitsky and teammate Sloan Moore the two with some front line help from Colbie Frailey and frontline mates Mati Hepfer and Bella Pereira. The foursome led the visitors to an early 4-1 advantage.

But the Rams rallied to overcome the deficit as Peyton Watson lit up her hits as the night wore on, knotting the game at six.

Watson scored from the service line as did teammate Callie Riddle. Riddle had three service points in the run.

What was once a deficit turned into a switching of momentum as the Lady Rams continued to pull ahead.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Keira Clarkson (1) gets the ball over the net during a volleyball match against Penns Valley on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, at Penns Valley. The Red Raiders fell 3-2.

Once taking the lead, Penns Valley was able to fend off as spunky Red Raiders squad.

Though Bellefonte hung in there for much of the contest, it wouldn’t be enough to mount as strong comeback and get back ahead on the scoreboard en route to the 15-11 victory.

Slow starts in game one and four proved to be the second reason that the Red Raiders weren’t able to cash in.”

In game one, Bellefonte was down by as many five. Each time the front line led by Frailey and company were able to mount a small comeback each time to pull her team into striking distance. However, it wouldn’t be enough as the Lady Rams would take a chokehold on games 1 (25-18) and (25-17).

In the two sets the Red Raiders won, Bellefonte was able to bust out and take the lead as they would have to enter a gavel five before all was said and done.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte setter Aubrey Schreppel sets a ball during a volleyball match against Penns Valley on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, at Penns Valley. The Red Raiders fell 3-2.

Penns Valley 3, Bellefonte 2

BE 18 25 25 17 11

PV 25 21 22 25 15

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte players celebrate a play during a volleyball match against Penns Valley on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, at Penns Valley. The Red Raiders fell 3-2.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte competes with Penns Valley during a volleyball match against Penns Valley on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, at Penns Valley. The Red Raiders fell 3-2.