Nashua North's Ava Simone Durden, left, as well as Titans coach Cassandra Desfosses and Patricia So (9) celebrate a huge point in Wednesday night's Battle of the Bridge at Titans Gym. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

NASHUA – There was some drama, but the Nashua High School North girls volleyball team had things under control for the most part on Wednesday night.

And in the Battle of the Bridge vs. Nashua South, that’s not easy to do.

But the Titans prevailed 3-1 to give North an 8-6 lead in the BOB standings.

“I think we are the only ones that can really beat ourselves,” North coach Cassandra Desfosses said. “I think once they put all the pieces together, it’s going to be a great night. …

“It’s a really special team, young. We’re vibing. Hopefully we stay out of our own way.”

The Titans did that in the clinching fourth set, turning a tight 10-10 match into an 18-13 lead and eventual 25-17 win. The Titans won the first two sets, 25-21 and rallying from a 21-14 deficit to win 27-25 in set 2, before finally South staying alive with a 25-22 set 3 win.

The match within the match was Titan senior Hayley Maurhoff vs. South junior Hannah Perez up front, and Maurhoff seemed to get the edge, but not by much.

“It was a good fight,” she said. “I feel we had all the things we put it all together. I just love this team, it’s my senior year, you know? It was so special, so awesome to win that final game.”

“She’s just such a smart volleyball player,” Desfosses said. “She sees the court well, great heads up, and keeps herself level. I’ve coached her since sixth grade, so it’s great to see her as a senior.”

Panthers coach Tom Langer knows that losing that big second set lead cost his 2-5 team, losers of four straight, the match.

“Yeah, that one hurts, that one hurts a lot,” Langer said. “I am proud of how the girls came out in that set, after the first set, the adrenalin and those jitters. I’m really proud of how the girls reacted to the second set and came and fought, we just need to finish the job. It’s tough getting that close and not being able to finish out. And kudos to North for never giving up.”

But the Panthers did bounce back and win the third set; that’s been a trademark of this team according to Langer. “They’re able to reset and go get the next one,” he said.

Perez had nine kills and seven blocks while Rebecca Walters had 13 assists and eight digs plus two aces. Addison Campbell had 12 digs while Rebecca MacDonald, teaming with Perez up front, had six blocks and nine kills.

“I’m very happy with my middle, I’m excited with what they brought today,” Langer said. “Hayley Maurhoff did a great job, it was a good matchup between Hannah and Hayley. Those little mistakes are the difference between winning 3-1 and losing 3-1.”

Nashua North’s Hayley Maurhoff battles Nashua South’s Hannah Perez up front during Wednesday night’s battle of the Bridge at Titans Gym. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

North (5-3) got good play up front also by Amelia Hebert, a transfer from Milford, which made the Division II finals a year ago. “She was a surprise addition to the team this year, it’s been a really good addition,” Desfosses said. “We have some young freshmen, lots of energy, just got to keep pushing.”

Setter Ruby Zeman was strong, as was hitter Kylie Rizzo, while Laura Ducharme and Patricia So were solid on serve.

It was all too much for the Panthers, who host Bishop Guertin on Monday, to overcome.

“They made fewer mistakes, and in volleyball once you get the momentum, they kept it,” Langer said. “That’s hard to fight back.”

More or less a Bridge too far.