BAINBRIDGE — The Crusaders escaped with a Metro League win in girls varsity volleyball after a back-and-forth battle against the Spartans earlier this week in Paski Gymnasium.

Eastside Catholic won Bainbridge 22-25, 25-14, 19-25, 25-15, 15-9.

“It was an exciting match; we started out really good,” said Spartans Head Coach Julie Miller.

After winning the first set, however, the Spartans faltered in the second. Bainbridge rebounded in the third set, then fell again in the fourth.

Although the Spartans valiantly tried to rally in the fifth, the Crusaders’ were able to coast to the win with their large early lead.

“We kind of put ourselves in too big of a hole to get out of,” Miller said, and by the time the team straightened out the ship, it was too late.

Miller added there were positive takeaways for the team in the Metro matchup.

“I think they competed. I thought that was really good,” she said. “They were covering their hitters really well, making some smart shots.”

Hannah Wagner paced Bainbridge with 34 kills.

Fellow Spartan Emilia Dronkert contributed 48 assists and four blocks.

Adrienne Fountain had six kills, and Kate Merifield had 15 digs and three aces.

The Spartans will play the final two games of the regular season next week; the first at home against Bishop Blanchet, the second on the road at Holy Names Academy.

“We still need to work on our passing; it’s still not good enough,” Miller said. “I think getting more production out of other people, other hitters besides Hannah Wagner, needs to happen,” she said.

The Spartans also need to shore up their defensive efforts, Miller added, and improve on blocking.

“And our communication on the court needs to be better, too,” she said.