The American River College women’s volleyball team lost 3-2 after an intense game against Folsom Lake College on Oct. 6. 

ARC started out strong, outpacing FLC and taking the lead on the first set with a score of 25- 18. The confidence and energy level was high from both sides of the court, players rushing back and forth during long volleys. 

FLC found their rhythm and started looking lively and coordinated during the last half of the second set, ultimately leading to a win after coming back 25-22.

According to Margaret O’Brien, a key player for ARC, the team faced a slump during the middle of the second set and had some trouble reorienting.

“It affected us mentally and we struggled to get back into it really quick,” O’Brien said.

Now tied, Carson Lowden, head coach of the ARC women’s volleyball team, brought the players together for a sideline pep talk to get spirits up and go into the third set. This was enough for ARC to once again take the lead after dominating the set 25-13.

Though there were some signs of tiredness, both teams went into the fourth set determined to win. After constant exciting momentum swings, FLC again caught up and won a tight fourth set 28-26. The two teams were now tied 2-2. 

“Once you get into the fifth set with a team, it’s kind of anything can happen,” Lowden said. “Folsom Lake had a lot of confidence coming into that fifth set.”

While battling out the last set, ARC began looking tired as the game had turned into a nearly two-hour game. FLC won the game 3-2 after winning the fifth set 15-8.

“[FLC] played some great defense. They were scrappy,” Lowden said. ”The gals fought super hard…unfortunately they finished with the momentum.”

The loss does not deter ARC’s confidence going into the next game against San Joaquin Delta College on Oct. 14.  

“I am proud of how we played,” O’Brien said. “We played our hearts out.”