Colonial League volleyball powerhouses came together for the second time this season Tuesday evening.

Just like the previous matchup, Northwestern managed to come out on top once again, defeating Notre Dame-Green Pond 3-1.

Coming off back-to-back losses against Nazareth and Pottsville, the Tigers looked to get back to their winning ways in what has been a busy stretch of six matches in the last nine days.

Despite defeating the Crusaders by the same score Sept. 12, facing them again was no easy task.

After an early 4-1 start for Notre Dame, Northwestern took over the first set with runs of 9-2 and 8-1. A balanced attack, which included five points finished by Jessie Unrath, propelled the host Tigers to a 25-14 opening-set win.

The remaining three sets were about as tight as they could be for two of the best teams in the league. Entering the night, Northwestern held the No. 2 seed in the Colonial League, while the Crusaders were next in line at No. 3.

During the second set, the Tigers maintained a slight advantage most of the way, but Notre Dame responded each time to stay within four points.

Trailing 21-17, the Crusaders brought Liz Stefurak off the bench, and the move paid off, as the sophomore picked up four aces as part of an 8-2 run to steal the set 25-23 and tie the match.

Momentum swung in Notre Dame’s favor to begin the third set. The visitors raced ahead with a 12-3 run to gain a 14-7 advantage and put the Tigers on their heels.

In a situation where the Crusaders would normally be able to finish the job, they weren’t prepared for Northwestern’s effort and its ability to keep plays alive.

“They play a relentless defense,” Notre Dame head coach Mike Zile said. “Balls that we usually are able to put down against other teams, they get the balls up that are usually a kill for us. They play very tough on defense, and they’re very well-balanced.”

A seven-point deficit eventually turned into an 11-2 run that put the Tigers ahead 18-17. Northwestern maintained the edge from there to earn a 25-22 win.

In the midst of Northwestern’s balanced roster, a crucial piece responsible for keeping the Tigers in the fight has been team captain Lexi George.

After recently setting the school record for career digs, the senior added an astounding 41 to her total Tuesday while thriving against top-level competition.

“I think playing these hard teams are the most fun matches we will play in our high school volleyball career,” George said. “I cherish these matches because I know that it’s a fight (for) every single ball.

“No ball is going untouched, and that’s what makes it fun. That’s what volleyball is all about ... the hustle and the drive, and it’s just so much fun to play against these high-level teams because it makes us better players.”

The fourth set was the tightest.

Neither team could gain a lead greater than three points until match point, and a three-point run was the largest from either side. Northwestern held a 21-20 advantage late before pulling away for a 25-21 victory to close out the match.

“When I first started coaching here, (Notre Dame) would beat us every match we had,” Northwestern head coach Mike Maston said. “After a couple years in, we were splitting with them. Now for the last two seasons, we swept them last season and this season.

“They missed the most important serves down the end, and we were keeping the ball in. It’s all about trying to keep the ball and keep it moving.”

“(Notre Dame) is not an easy team to beat, so I think that it really just came down to who wanted it more, who wanted to show up on the court today, and I think that we really came out with fire under our feet,” George said.

STAT STANDOUTS ... In addition to George’s 41 digs, Lacey Clymer and Anna Ebeling led the Tigers with 10 kills apiece. Clymer also had 15 digs, while Kayla Schaffer added 24 assists and 14 digs.

IN THE HOMESTRETCH ... Both teams wrap up their regular seasons with three more matches. Northwestern will face Salisbury, Lehighton and Palmerton, while Notre Dame will take on Jim Thorpe, Catasauqua and Pen Argyl.

Northwestern 3, Notre Dame-GP 1

Notre Dame-GP 14 25 22 21

Northwestern 25 23 25 25

Statistics: Notre Dame-GP - Casey Lagodney 12 kills, 1 ace, 1 block; Ella Farrow 23 assists; Addyson Wilson 9 kills, 13 blocks; Alexa Beani 6 kills, 5 blocks; Natalie Lilly 4 kills, 5 digs, 2 blocks; Liz Stefurak 4 aces. Northwestern - Lacey Clymer 10 kills, 15 digs, 1 assist; Lexi George 41 digs; Anna Ebeling 10 kills, 2 blocks; Kayla Schaffer 2 kills, 3 aces, 24 assists, 14 digs, 1 block; Hailey Rex 12 digs, 1 ace; Marina Breininger 6 kills, 3 digs; Jessie Unrath 5 kills, 2 digs, 1 block, 1 assist; Cici Edgar 3 kills, 1 block.

Records: Notre Dame-GP 11-4 (11-4); Northwestern 14-5 (13-2).