By DREW GRANTHUM/Sports Writer

VINCENT — A furious comeback by the Vincent varsity volleyball team came up just short, as the Yellow Jackets fell to Fayetteville in five sets.

The Yellow Jackets started out slow in the first set, as the Wolves were able to jump out to a 13-3 lead. The Jackets were able to close with in four, at 14-10, but Fayetteville used a 8-2 run down the stretch pull away for good, capturing the first set, 25-13.

The second set saw more of the same from both squads. Fayetteville had two long runs to start the set. The first was an 11-5 run that established command, and the second was a 9-4 to extend the lead to 20-9. Vincent was able to close to within five, but the large lead proved insurmountable, and the Wolves took the second set, 25-18.

It looked as if the Wolves would close out the match in the first set, as an 8-3 opening run gave Fayetteville a comfortable lead.

Vincent trailed by as many as nine points before slowly clawing back into the set. With the score 20-15 in favor of the Wolves, Vincent took complete control of the set, launching into a frantic comeback. Riding on the serve game of Destanie Howard and Ashlynn Melton, Vincent went on a 10-2 run to capture the set and stave off elimination.

The Yellow Jackets carried the momentum into the fourth set as well. Fayetteville carried a slim lead through the midway point of the set, but Vincent once again used a 10-0 run with Howard’s serving to take an 18-12 lead. The Jackets never looked back, taking a 25-23 set win.

Unfortunately for VHS, the comeback couldn’t be continued in the fifth set, as Fayetteville took the fifth set, 15-8, and the match, 3-2.

“They fought back in it,” said head coach Stephanie Ledlow. “I’m proud of them. We’re still young.”

Joi Stamps led the Jackets with 13 kills and two aces, while Brooke Denson had seven kills and Ashleigh McCloud had two aces for Vincent.

Vincent will participate in the Altamont Tournament Sept. 21.