Good things happened for Mexico when Mary Test stepped to the line on Thursday night. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, Montgomery County had more go their way as the Wildcats edged out Mexico in five sets at the Sports Complex.

It was a tightly contested meeting until the finale. The Bulldogs claimed the first (25-18) and fourth (25-23), sandwiching Montgomery County's wins in sets two (25-19) and three (25-21).

After a quick start to the final, Mexico faltered and the Wildcats pounced, 15-8.

"We have moments, but we're not where we need to be," said libero Aleigha Jackson, who had a solid night on the back line.

The first set was one of those moments. Test established an early lead with a service run. A tap by Capri'ona Fountain gave the Bulldogs a 9-5 advantage.

Test returned to the line with the score at 12-8 and again found her rhythm. Strength at the net and a hustling save by Tessa Haefling helped Mexico stretch the lead to 16-8.

"Mary's serves were on fire tonight," observed head coach Mendie Tutt. "And Tessa, her defensive coverage was amazing."

Jessica Stephens put the finished touch on the first set, dropping one over the net with an assist from Lizzie Joiner.

While the first set was defined by service runs, the second settled into a tense back and forth. The two sides knotted at 9-9, 15-15, 17-17. But the Wildcats broke loose after reaching 20 points.

The third was almost a repeat. The teams swapped points through the early going with neither side gaining an edge.

Twice the visitors forged a two point gap, but both times Mexico reeled it back. Down 14-12, a desperate dig by Ally Wilson led to hitters Stephens and Emily Nunan scoring.

Again in arrears 16-14 moments later, Joiner's service run reversed things to a 17-16 Mexico lead.

An acrobatic tap by Nunan from a Fountain set handed the Bulldogs a narrow 19-18 advantage. But again Montgomery County rallied and pulled ahead.

Test's finesse at the line proved its worth again in the fourth. She helped Mexico go on top 8-6. Later in the set she returned to the line with the Bulldogs down 20-18. By the time she finished, the home side was again in front 22-20.

"Everything we've been working on, it really helped," Test said of her service prowess on the night.

She had some assistance, of course. Joiner, Stephens and Nunan dominated at the net. Mexico tied the game at 2-2.

"I thought 'we can do this' -- and we could have," Test said. "We played our hardest."