PHOTOS: Dr. Phillips volleyball rallies to beat Olympia, 3-2 -- Observer Preps

After losing the second and third sets to the host Olympia Titans by comfortable margins Tuesday night, the Dr. Phillips volleyball team rallied to take the fourth and fifth sets and scored an important 3-2 district victory: 25-20, 19-25, 17-25, 25-22, 15-7.

"I'm proud of this team — they wanted this win," head coach Danny Eleutiza said. "This is the most important match of the season because this will determine who's first and second in the district. This is a big step for the girls."

Despite winning the first set, the Panthers (15-6) looked rattled during the second and third sets as Olympia was hitting on all cylinders. The fourth set, though, saw a change in approach from Dr. Phillips, and that momentum carried over well into the fifth and deciding set.

"We served a little bit more aggressive and our passing got better," Eleutiza said.

Junior Mallory Porcher registered 14 kills for the Panthers and senior Milexa Cardona racked up 40 assists in the victory.

Alix Polk had 17 kills and 16 digs for Olympia (14-4).

For Eleutiza, who recently eclipsed the 150-mark for career wins (spanning his time at Dr. Phillips and Foundation Academy), it was an encouraging win in more than just the result. The Panthers lean heavily on a trio of talented underclassmen, all of whom played well in the big game.

"I got three freshmen playing," Eleutiza said. "It's hard sometimes. All three of them showed up today."