EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — Down two sets, East Prairie refused to surrender, rallying from the brink of defeat to stun Oran in a thrilling five-set victory on Thursday, September 5.

The victory could be a springboard for East Prairie (2-0), proving to the team that it’s capable of great things and setting up a successful season.

“We just overcame a huge hurdle that had plagued our team,” said East Prairie coach Kelle Gooding. “I’m so hopeful with this happening so early in the season, they understand and know that they can do anything. It’s such a big moment for the team.”

Oran (0-2) stormed out to a quick 4-0 lead, but East Prairie fought back, tying the score at 4-4 after an ace from Olivia Hayes, who would go on to lead the team with 18 kills, 16 digs, 14 assists, and four aces.

Hayes' exceptional performance, both as a hitter and as a leader, was instrumental in the comeback.

“I’ve always been impressed with [Hayes’] hitting and serving, but most impressive is how she’s taken her leadership to a new level. She stepped up and made plays when we needed them most but we’re most excited about her sharing her knowledge and running this team.”

Oran's Kollie Morgan responded to Hayes' ace with a block, regaining the lead at 6-5. Despite the sophomore’s smaller stature, Morgan showed impressive jumping ability and was a force at the net throughout the match, making several key plays for Oran, which controlled the pace of the game, pulling away from East Prairie with an eight-point run.

Morgan delivered a crafty kill, placing the ball behind the entire defense to make it 24-16, and Piper Bennett followed with a kill to clinch the set for Oran, 25-16.

“Our communication was better tonight than our first match,” said Oran assistant coach Susan Dirnberger. “Cora Woods and Kolie Morgan both made a lot of plays for us, and we also had two freshmen step up and well play on short notice. But we have to be more aggressive finishing out the match.”

Morgan continued her dominant performance at the net, blocking another attack to tie the score at 5-5 in the second set.  Oran built a six-point advantage before East Prairie battled back to tie it 17-17 on a kill by Sydney Aycock.

The teams traded blows for the remainder of the match.

Oran took a 21-19 lead on a pair of kills from Kendall Burger, but East Prairie regained the lead 22-21, after back-to-back aces by Aycock.

Oran regained the lead, 24-23, on a barely-in ace by Bailey McCoy. Bennett and Rylie Priggel combined for crucial kills for Oran down the stretch of the second set, but it was Morgan who ultimately closed it out, delivering a block and a kill for the final two points of a 28-26 victory.

East Prairie trailed for most of the third set, seemingly hanging on by a thread. However, the team found a second wind and rallied for a 13-5 run to clinch the set, 25-21. The late surge was a turning point, injecting new life into the team and setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion.

East Prairie started the fourth set strong, with Remi Cade and Sydney Aycock combining for early kills to establish a 10-6 advantage.

Oran fought back to tie the match midway through and was on the verge of clinching the match after kills by Priggel, Morgan and McCoy made it 24-21.

Staring down the barrel of defeat, East Prairie took a timeout, regrouped and rallied off the next five points to win the match 26-24. Rice and Hayes each had critical kills during the late surge, while Aycock produced the match-winning ace.

East Prairie carried the momentum from the fourth set into the decisive fifth set, opening with an impressive 8-3 run, fueled by kills from Hayes and Rice, and a block from Aycock.

Refusing to let up, Hayes came through with back-to-back kills to extend the lead to 14-7, and Rice sealed the victory, recording a kill and an ace to clinch the final set 25-13.

Rice, just a freshman, finished the match with 14 assists, eight digs, five aces, and four kills.

“She has so much talent,” Gooding said. “She turned on her serves and has good placement. That’s great for a freshman.”

Aycock was another standout performer, contributing 15 digs, seven kills, six aces, a block, and an assist.

Remi Cade recorded four blocks, four digs, three kills, two assists, and an ace; Maryn Grissom finished with 25 digs, three kills, and two assists; and Ava Bright had six digs, two blocks, and two assists.

"I couldn't be prouder of these girls," Gooding said. "We rotated a lot of players, and everyone contributed to the victory."

East Prairie travels to North Pemiscot (1-2), while Oran hosts Kennett (2-0) on Monday, September 9.