To borrow a line from Charles Dickens, it was the best of times and the worst of times for both the Panther Valley and Marian volleyball teams Monday night.

After going toe to toe in three games in Marian’s gym, Panther Valley took a 2-1 lead before Marian dominated the fourth game 25-10. That fourth set was the best showing of the match for the Fillies, and the lowest-scoring one of the season for the Panthers.

The fifth game was completely opposite of the fourth, with Panther Valley winning 15-3 to claim a thrilling 3-2 win. Considering the rivalry between the two programs — both geographically close and traditionally successful — this was among the best of times for the Panthers.

Morgan Orsulak, the tall senior who dominates the net for PV, was a key factor in the match, especially in the deciding game, when she recorded five of her 24 kills. She also had seven service points in the period, as did teammate Madeline Schirer.

Orsulak said that after her team took a 2-1 lead, “we came in very slow and we didn’t really pick up our tempo; we didn’t play our volleyball at all.”

“We came out in the fifth with a different mentality to play OUR volleyball with all the energy that we have,” she said. “We switched some things around and it definitely helped us in the long run.”

In the fourth game, Marian jumped to a commanding 12-2 lead, then quickly widened the gap to 19-4. Though the two teams each scored six points late in the set, the Fillies’ lead was never threatened.

Panther Valley coach Nancy Filer credited her team’s belief in themselves for the fifth-set performance.

“They started believing in themselves,” she said. “It was a tight game, it was an emotional game. They pulled it together.

“They all had to do it all. They had to play defense, they had to play offense, they had to keep their serves in. I’d say it was a team effort.”

Marian coach Marie Currie said she felt one of the biggest factors in the Panthers’ victory was their serving in the final game.

“It was the serving — who had the best serve and serve receive,” she said. “And they had the best rotation, so they ran off with that. This was the same with us in the fourth set.”

In Game 1, Marian led most of the way, at one point 13-7. Later in the set, a couple of kills by Orsulak, one by PV’s other net powerhouse Jaelynn Browdy, and another by Browdy tied the score at 18. The game was tied again at 21 before a kill by Alena Lombardo, a Panther Valley backcourt miss and an out-of-bounds hit gave Marian a 25-21 victory.

Game 2 was close throughout, tied on eight occasions. Marian held a 22-21 lead late, but a couple of miscues gave PV a 24-22 edge. Orsulak ended it with a powerful kill.

The teams were evenly matched again in Game 3, which was tied 10 different times before PV pulled out a 26-24 win. Orsulak delivered three of the final four Panther Valley points with dominating kills.

There’s a chance the two teams could face each other again in the Schuylkill League playoffs.

“I hope so,” said Currie. “This was fun.”

Filer agreed. “I think everybody got their money’s worth tonight.”

A FIRST FOR BOTH TEAMS ... This was the first time this season that either Panther Valley or Marian went five games in a match. Marian, now 12-3, has five matches left in the regular season. Panther Valley, still undefeated, has six matches left. Both teams have qualified for District 11 play.

PV STAT LEADERS ... Orsulak had an impressive night with 24 kills, 17 assists, four service points, three aces and two digs. Browdy added 11 kills, 15 service points, four aces and nine digs. Caroline Breslin had four kills, nine service points, one ace and 10 digs. Her younger sister, Kathryn, contributed three kills, three assists, one block, seven service points and 10 digs. Jessica Hackash had six kills, one assist, two blocks, two service points and three digs.

MARIAN LEADERS ... For Marian, Lombardo finished with 15 kills and three blocks. Jessica Horvat had seven kills, nine aces and seven digs. Caydense Smith tallied 17 digs.

COMING ATTRACTIONS ... Tonight, Panther Valley hosts Blue Mountain, while Marian is home against Williams Valley.

Panther Valley 3, Marian 2

Panther Valley 21 25 26 10 15

Marian 25 22 24 25 3