GIRARD — Trailing two sets to none is a position the Lakeview Bulldogs (19-3) haven’t found themselves in all season, but that’s the deficit they faced Saturday afternoon in Girard.

The No. 6-seeded Bulldogs and No. 9 Jefferson squared off in the Division II district quarterfinals and Lakeview escaped in a 5-set classic 19-25, 22-25, 25-10, 25-18, 17-15.

“I’m really proud of my girls,” Lakeview coach Heather Guthrie said. “They realized how important energy is. The first two sets, we had no energy. Jefferson could tell. I told them that we either play now, or we turn in our jerseys tomorrow. They bought in. They wanted to keep their jerseys.”

The Bulldogs fell behind 22-13, in the first set, before kills by juniors Emma Schmader and Brooke Schneider got them a little closer. However, the Falcons were able to maintain the advantage.

Jefferson (15-7) jumped ahead 16-11 in the second. Then, Tara Lytle helped spark a comeback. Schneider hit a knuckleball and the score was tied 19-19. Once again, the Falcons were able to stay in control as senior Taylor Skinner smashed it over the net for a two-set lead.

“It was a really exciting match,” Jefferson coach Shannen Tome said. “The seniors are from my first year coaching. Seeing them grow, and play to their full potential, has been amazing and a blessing.”

Lakeview stormed back with a statement in the third set. Maggie Pavlansky served up an ace. Senior Carly Hawn touched it over, and freshman Reagan Price did the same. Freshman Molly Stuart served an ace just inside the back line, and fellow freshman Mallory Mailach had three consecutive service points to close it out.

The fourth set went Lakeview’s way after a bit of a slow start. The Bulldogs weren’t getting to some shots as you can’t stand flat-footed and dig it out. Price got up and placed it over the net with a no-look touch-shot. Schneider’s cross-court kill sent it to a fifth and decisive set.

Jefferson took an early lead at 7-4 before Guthrie called a timeout. The Bulldogs regrouped, but still trailed 15-14 after a spike from Schmader. Pavlansky’s slick serving, and the impressive talent of Lytle in front of the net helped Sydney Peterson and the rest of the Bulldogs advance to the district semifinals against Girard.

“We started off really bad,” Lytle said. “It was not our volleyball at all. We got the energy, in the third set, to finally come back and beat them by a lot. We got into a little bit of a rut in the fifth set. We were down, and we didn’t think we were going to win. In the end, we played for one another. That’s what made us win.”