It was a battle of volleyball titans that lived up to the pre-match hype.

Schuylkill League Division 3 powers Panther Valley and Marian went back-and forth in a match that produced drama galore.

Before a packed house in Hometown, the two high-powered programs needed five sets - and ultimately an extra point - before a winner eventually emerged.

In the end, it was visiting Panther Valley staging a dramatic final set rally to claim a thrilling early-season showdown, 20-25, 25-21, 23-25, 25-14, 16-14.

“It was a very, very good finish,” said Panther Valley coach Emilee Baker after watching her team charge back from a 14-10 deficit in the fifth set, holding off four match points before pulling out the victory. “It was the match where the momentum kept going back and forth the entire night.”

It was probably fitting that the match needed five sets and then overtime in the fifth before finally producing a winner.

“I think both teams played fantastically well,” said Marian coach Maria Serina. “Both teams brought high energy, both teams were playing so hard. They did a great job ... we did a great job.”

Marian looked cool and calm at the start as it built a 20-13 lead in the opening set. Panther Valley got a spark to cut the margin to 22-19, but the Fillies’ defense forced PV into several errors down the stretch to take the early lead in the match.

“I told our kids, the only way we were going to move forward was to start running our offense,” Baker said about her message to the Panthers prior to the second set.

The Panthers reacted to their coach’s message by storming in front 22-16 on their way to evening the match.

This time it was the Fillies who bounced back, winning the third set behind strong serving from Julia Meiss.

“She’s our true quarterback,” Serina said of Meiss, who handles the setting and also displayed a strong service game. “She’s very level headed, and stays calm and non-emotional on the court, but at the same time has that energy within her to lead the team.”

It was Panther Valley’s turn to take control early in set four as it roared out to a 20-8 lead and cruised to the win.

“We came in confident but not overconfident,” Baker said. “So even when we fell behind after the third set, the girls believed we could still win.”

That confidence came to the fore when the Panthers looked doomed in the final set.

Marian was riding the crest of momentum creating space with a three-point run that extended its lead to 12-8. Kills by Meiss and Emily D’Amoto eventually moved the advantage to 14-10.

But the Panthers didn’t buckle under the pressure. After regaining the serve at 14-11, Morgan Orsulak stepped to the line and reeled off the next five points to send the Panthers into a frenzy.

“I’m really happy with the win,” Baker said. “And I’m sure the next time we play them it’s going to be another good one.”

Serina agreed.

“We will get another chance when we play them at their place,” said Serina. “When Marian and Panther Valley play, It seems like it’s always a good match between two great programs.”

NUMBER CRUNCHING ... For Panther Valley, Riley McArdle had 15 kills, 13 digs and four aces; Orsulak had 14 assists, seven kills, five aces and five digs; Dacey had 10 kills and six digs; and Abby Benick had 18 assists and five digs. For Marian, Abbye Kluck was sensational with 25 kills and 16 digs; Meiss had 41 assists, 11 digs and four aces; Isabelle Horvath had six kills and 21 digs; Zoe Katona had 16 digs; Alena Lombardo had eight kills and three blocks; and Caydense Smith had nine digs.

STARS OF THE MATCH ... The Panthers got outstanding play from McArdle, Dacey and Orsulak, while Meiss and Kluck were terrific for the Fillies.

RECORDS ... Panther Valley improves to 3-0, while Marian falls to 2-2.