SPARTA — The Lady Cardinals squeezed out a five-set win over a “scrappy” Alleghany team Wednesday.

East Surry went back and forth with the Lady Trojans all evening before pulling out a 15-13 final set.

East won the first set 25-16, then lost the second 19-25. After taking a tight 26-24 third set, the Cards fell 20-25 in the fourth.

“Alleghany is scrappy and forces you into long rallies,” said Coach Caleb Gilley. The Cards were able to win more of those rallies than the Trojans.

The team played much better, and served much better, than it did Tuesday with Bishop McGuinness, the coach believed.

“I am proud of the way they came together,” he said. The Cards played without all-conference middle hitter Keri Fulp, who suffered a death in the family.

Ever since the loss to North Surry, Gilley said he has been hard on his players about taking some of the scoring pressure off Fulp. He felt like they weren’t making enough smart, yet forceful attacks to keep the defense from stacking up for Fulp.

Without Keri, the team loses a lot both offensively and defensively, he said, and the Cards stepped up.

Kacie Markle had a career-best 20 kills to go along with eight digs and two blocks.

Destiny Edmonds added 12 kills, five digs and four blocks. Gabi Jessup had seven kills and five blocks. Ashley Smith provided eight kills, two blocks and five assists.

Jessi Marion has split time between JV and varsity this season. On Wednesday, she got her most significant action and came up with a team-best six blocks and five kills.

Olivia Sheets had 40 assists, four kills, 10 digs and two blocks. She also went 14-14 at the service line.

Sydney Mosley and Laken Bowman led the defense with 15 digs each, while Jessica Barker had eight and Jesse Barr seven.

Jessup was 21-21 serving, and Edmonds and Markle each went 15-15 as the team kept a much higher percentage of serves in play than against Bishop.

East Surry plays its third match in three days when the squad travels to North Stokes today.

Reach Jeff Linville at jlinville@heartlandpublications.com or at 719-1920.