It was an exciting match between Delhi High and Denair High to begin the 2012 Southern Athletic League volleyball season on Monday. The Coyotes hosted the Hawks in what was sure to be an interesting matchup, but few could have foreseen the back and forth, five set competition that unfolded. In the end four points separated the winner from the loser as Delhi snatched a 3-2 (25-19, 26-28, 25-21, 24-26, 15-11) victory form Denair.

“I was really excited and I’m really proud of them,” Delhi’s head coach Adriana Nunez said. “They worked hard and they played hard and that’s what I expected.”

The name of the game was perseverance for the Hawks, who kick started Monday’s tug of war by overcoming a nine point deficit to take the first set. Denair answered back to claim the second set with the offensive exploits of Brigette Burgess and Alex Knapp, but Delhi’s Lexus Palominos stepped up from the outside position to help the Hawks secure the third set.

“They all stepped up; there wasn’t really one specific person, they all did a fantastic job,” Nunez said.

After dropping the fourth set by a narrow margin of two points the Hawks found themselves with one last chance to stop Denair. As with the afternoon’s previous sets, the fifth was a back and forth affair, but consistent serving from Delhi’s Bianca Nunez proved to be the difference.

“The energy level throughout the entire match was strong,” Coach Nunez said. “Hopefully, this energy carries through the whole season no matter who we play.”

Delhi will find out if Monday’s confidence can translate into another SAL victory today against Waterford High at home.

As for Denair, even though the Coyotes fell short on Monday they were encouraged by the level of competition they displayed against Delhi. Denair plans on showing that same determination today against Le Grand High as its girls seek their first league win.