In an intense match featuring significant momentum swings, Poca went the distance in its first-ever trip to the WVSSAC state volleyball tournament but fell short to James Monroe, 3-2 (25-21, 22-25, 16-25, 25-21, 15-11), in the Class AA quarterfinals at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center on Wednesday.

After losing the first set, the Dots had to play strong defense against relentless attacks at the net from the James Monroe front wall of Ava Pitzer, Mya Dunlap and Lydia Dunlap.

In the second set, after one particularly thrillingly long volley won by the Dots, the score was knotted up at 18-18, turning the momentum around. The result was Poca realizing it needed a jolt of physical presence.

After winning the second set, Poca (32-6-5) came out in the third set trailing 12-7 and app

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