Cass High took a lead late in its second matchup with Woodland on Tuesday and knew how to hold it, knocking off its cross-county rival 25-19 in volleyball.

The previous match, Woodland had come from behind after trailing by as much as 16-8 to grab a late lead, as the Lady Wildcats surged up by 23-20.

But the Lady Wildcats could not stand prosperity and let the Lady Colonels tie them at 24-all. The two tied again at 25-all then Cass scored the last two times to squeak by 27-25 in the match, played at the Woodland gym.

The Lady Colonels' biggest lead of the second match was seven points, which they held multiple times.

The score was tied nine times in the first matchup and four times in the second one.

Jamie Horton, Cass assistant coach, said the two teams are always intense when they play and he said Woodland (2-9 and 1-0 in 7-AAAA) has made great strides since earlier this season.

"They are a lot better," he said.

Horton said the rivalry makes their matchups fun, especially when Cass (7-7 and 2-0 in 7-AAAA) claims a victory.

"It's always great to get a win against a county rival," Horton said.

He said the Lady Wildcats' Bekah Ayers is growing in her skills on the court.

"She can tip the ball and hit it hard," he said.

Ayers smashed a number of balls through the Lady Colonels, then crossed them up with some gentle tips that Cass players couldn't reach. It was a deadly combination throughout the evening.

Horton said the Lady Colonels are slowly coming around but they must keep working to improve their game. "We're still making way too many mental errors, but we're getting there."

Silken Solomon was particularly effective for Cass as she smashed several volleys to help the cause while also tipping a number away from outstretched Woodland arms.

David Condon, head coach at Woodland, said despite the loss his Lady Wildcats are showing improvement in the young season.

"But we've got to close out better," he said. "We had Cass down, but we didn't know how to finish and they got the win."

He noted the two teams seem to reserve some intensity when they hop on the court against one another as well as any of the other teams in the county.

"When we go to the county playoffs, it will be the same way," Condon said.

He noted the county playoffs will be Sept. 25.

Cass and Woodland both took 2-0 matches from the Rome Lady Wolves.

Woodland opened the evening with a 25-10 defeat of the Lady Wolves. Rome played the second matchup much closer before falling 25-19 to the Lady Wildcats.

Cass got by Rome 25-18 in their first matchup and took a 25-21 victory in their second contest.