Second-ranked Briarwood (12-1) entered Thursday’s game feeling slighted by the pollsters and still on a high from an emotional win over No. 3 Curry on Tuesday. Thompson (12-6) saw it as another game and a chance to prove that this year’s team is special, as the Warriors put an end to the Lions’ 12-0 unbeaten streak with a 3-1 victory.

“This is a huge turning point for us as a team,” Thompson head coach Ellen Fleischer said. “I have a phenomenal group of girls. They hustle after everything, they’ve got heart, they play with intensity and they don’t let balls hit the floor.”

Thompson played Briarwood tight in the first game, trailing 7-5, before going on a 10-point run en route to a 25-13 victory.

“It was important for us to set the tone at our home court,” Fleischer said.

Briarwood managed to bounce back to win the second game, 25-18, but the Warriors dominated games three and four with scores of 25-17 in each game.

“It’s 100 percent my fault that we were unprepared for tonight,” Briarwood head coach Justin Dee said. “We came out and played like we were 11th or 12th in the state. Thompson came out and blew our socks off and played a wonderful match.”

Lauren Sprouse led Thompson’s offense with 14 kills, while adding 13 digs and four blocks. Rebekah Raymond had 25 digs and 10 kills, while Michelle Chase had 23 digs and Lainie Hoiland had 13 digs.