RALEIGH — cgrant@newsobserver.com

Both Leesville Road and Wakefield were undefeated coming into Tuesday’s match-up of ranked Cap Eight teams, but each had traveled different paths to their success.

The Wolverines had lost a non-conference match and been in a few close Cap Eight battles en route to remaining undefeated in conference play. Leesville Road had yet to lose a set this season, and in Cap Eight play, only one team had scored 20 points in a single set against the Pride.

Leesville Road got its first true test against the Wolverines, losing a set for the first time after falling 25-20 in the second, but the area’s No. 1 team would leave the match unscathed with a 3-1 win.

“You knew that time was going to come that we were going to have some bad balls and they were going to have some good balls,” said Leesville coach Taine Mergenthaler. “I think they did well.”

Leesville Road (8-0, 5-0) used a balanced attack to take the first set, 25-18, before host No. 6 Wakefield (6-2, 4-1) countered to tie the match at one set apiece.

“That was our goal -- get a set and win the match,” said Wakefield coach Cynthia Terrell. “One out of two isn’t bad.”

Wakefield used that momentum to jump out to a 9-3 lead to start the third set, but Leesville Road stayed composed despite being in unfamiliar territory. The Pride rallied off seven straight points to take the lead, prompting Wolverines coach Cynthia Terrell to call a timeout.

“We just made sure we stayed positive and didn’t get down,” said Leesville Road setter Zipporah Foster, who finished with ten aces. “We just had to trust each other.”

Wakefield was able to tie the score at 15-15, but Leesville Road went on to win, 25-23.

The Pride won the final set with a bit more breathing room, leading 12-4 at one point, and going on to take the match with a 25-15 fourth set win.

Wakefield coach Cynthia Terrell told the home crowd it was in for a great match as she introduced both teams before the match.

“It was expected with the battle of the undefeateds,” Terrell said. “We made mistakes at the wrong time. But if you can get a set off Leesville and no one’s done that, then they’re beatable.”

The two teams meet again at Leesville Road on Oct. 4.

Grant: 919-829-4538