MORRISVILLE — A Tuesday night match with the second and third place teams in the Tri-Nine Conference had a playoff atmosphere as the end of the fourth game drew close.

Panther Creek, down two games to one, needed to win to force a fifth-and-final game. Green Hope was looking to end the match, but was down 19-14.

The Falcons stormed back after a quick timeout by coach Heather Bailey, reeling off seven consecutive points to take a 21-19 lead. The two teams found themselves tied at 21, 22 and 23 apiece before Green Hope took each of the last two points of the game to win the match 3-1.

It was the second game decided by a 25-23 score, the first instance occurring in the opening game which tilted in Panther Creek's favor.

Green Hope (14-3, 12-1) took notice of the Catamounts, and came out determined to equal the score in the second game. With sophomore Christina Vucich serving, the Falcons broke open a 3-3 tie to score 13 straight points. It was more than enough to propel Green Hope to win the game, 25-12.

"We definitely came back with more energy," Vucich said of the difference from the first game to the second.

The lanky lefty gave Panther Creek trouble wherever she was on the court, particularly in the front where she led her team in kills.

"Serving tonight, she was really aggressive. As a lefty, she's got that great cross-court serve and I think she did a great job of executing it," "And at the net, she's got the height and it was great that we were able to take advantage of it too and use her a lot tonight. She did a great job."

In game three, Panther Creek found itself in a 6-0 hole before battling back to a 13-all tie. Coach Bonnie O'Connor called a timeout with her team down 19-17, but Green Hope took the game 25-19 — only giving up points 18 and 19 on service errors.

Despite the loss, the Catamounts (11-4, 8-4) will remain in third place for the time being. Barring something unforeseen, Panther Creek will make the playoffs after winning just one conference game in their last three seasons.

"I have five sophomores and some of my girls are just amazing players. It was a tough game, I'm proud of them. We've got some work to do," O'Connor said. "My prayer is that we make it to the playoffs, which is definitely something to be proud of — to make it that far."

Green Hope will have a chance to catch up with Apex, who defeated the Falcons 3-0 on Sept. 10, in the standings on Oct. 13. Should the Falcons win, the teams will likely finish tied for the Tri-Nine championship and will need to play another game for playoff seeding purposes.

"Panther Creek is definitely a very tough team, so it'll prepare us for Apex," senior outside hitter Lindsey O'Connell said.