PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The Lady Barons played a match of comebacks against conference opponent La Roche College, winning in four sets 24-26, 25-17, 25-22, and 25-16.

The Lady Barons found themselves down 9-1 in the first set and were able to make improvements to tie things up and even take a temporary lead. After losing that first set, the Lady Barons played back and forth but still found themselves down 17-12 before starting yet another comeback, this time winning 25-17.

"It took us a little time to work out the kinks," Head Coach Kelly Herman said. "La Roche is a much improved team, very scrappy. They worked hard and did a lot of things well."

Despite facing so many deficits throughout the match, the Lady Barons were able to remain confident in their abilities as a team. Hermann said that the team's confidence and composure allowed them to make so many comebacks.

"Our team is a pretty mature team, and we are definitely showing composure in those situations and not losing it," Hermann said. "I'm glad that they feel confident even if they are down, but we need to stop getting down in the match, there's no doubt."

The Lady Barons were definitely able to show composure in other ways on the court despite losing sophomore middle hitter Ana Tolkach to illness in this match. Middle hitters freshman Maria Hruby and sophomore Ellie Waldsmith were able to come off the bench and keep the team playing well.

"What a great scenario to be in where I not only have one middle on the bench but two capable middles to come in for a situation like that," Hermann said about Tolkach being sick.

Part of the comeback was helped by junior hitter Dani Link who overcame some early struggles with her serve receiver and continued to be one of the Lady Baron's most dangerous offensive weapons.

"Dani's composure to not let her defense bother her and still hit well made a difference in the third and fourth games," Hermann said. "I thought Dani played the best game I've ever seen her play in her three years at Franciscan even though she struggled in serve receive."

With this win, the Lady Barons move to 4-1 in conference play, taking sole possession of second place at this point in the season.

"We want to finish in first place and get home court advantage. That is absolutely still possible," Hermann said. "We need to focus on one match at a time. There is no opponent in the AMCC you can take lightly or look past."

The Lady Barons look forward to their next match at home against non-conference opponent Denison on October 10 at 7 pm.