It was a highly anticipated battle of two of the top ranked teams in the state Tuesday night in Holton, but after a thrilling three set comeback win by Silver Lake over the Wildcats, the Eagles now stand alone a top the Big East Volleyball standings. The hype certainly lived up to its billing with some intense and fantastic volleyball.  

Silver Lake beats Holton 22-25, 25-20, 25-22

The battle of ranked and unbeated Big East teams went back and forth all night with long volleys, multiple lead changes, and hard-earned points with no team ever leading by more than six points. In fact, it was Silver Lake that had the last run and took the biggest margin of the night after trailing 18-17 in the third set and going on a 7-1 run to give themselves multiple match point opportunities 6-3at 24-18. Holton won the next four points, before the Eagles sealed the deal, improving to 13-1 on the season and 5-0 in Big East play. Holton dropped to 10-2 on the season and 5-1 in the Big East.

The first two sets were both tied at 20-20 with Holton pulling away for a 25-22 win in set one, but Silver Lake ending the second game on a 5-0 run. The Wildcats had some adversity despite a huge home crowd in green on Shine Like Prine Night, as starting senior and top setter Mara Marten, who plays all the way around, was injured with Silver Lake ahead 3-1 in the opening set. Holton responded with five straight points to take a 6-3 advantage and led through the majority of the opener. Silver Lake led through most of the second set after ties at 8, 9, 19 and 20. 

Both teams easily defeated St. Mary's earlier in the evening as Holton won 25-6 and 25-13 against the Bears and Silver Lake swept St. Mary's by scores of 25-10 and 25-4.  

Holton and Silver Lake will meet again this Thursday, but at Silver Lake, and be joined by Rossville, who also has just one Big East loss which came Tuesday night to Jeff West. Holton and Silver Lake will both be at the Rossville Tournament this Saturday as well.  Live coverage this Thursday again on MSC Sports as well as archive to these matches Tuesday at 
MSC Sports Radio Network