Host Bryn Mawr was 7-1 in the league, with only a recent loss to Mount de Sales.  NDP was 6-2, with an earlier 3-2 loss to BMS, as well as a 3-2 loss to Roland Park Country.

The stakes were high. A Bryn Mawr win would put the Mawrtians one step away from clinching another �??A�?� title; it would still need a win at McDonogh on Monday to put the final piece in the puzzle.

An NDP win would put Coach Lynn Taylor's team into a first-place tie with Bryn Mawr, both at 7-2, and would put the Blazers in position to grab a share of the title as co-champs �?? if they could go on and defeat Mount de Sales in their regular season finale on Monday.

As Thursday�??s match proceeded amid a flurry of green and gold, the teams split the two singles and first two doubles matches. Bryn Mawr�??s Erica Choo defeated Frances Harvey, 6-4 and 6-3 to take #1 singles, and NDP�??s Kasey Harvey toppled Lauren Lanzo, 6-0 and 6-2, to take #2 singles.  Lanzo was filling in for Lauren Simmons, still hobbled by a recent knee injury.

The Mawrtians also took #1 doubles, as the team of Maggie Li and Gussie MacLaughlin remained unbeaten on the season with a 6-1, 6-2 win over the team of Katie Hershner/Caroline Kable.

The Blazers answered in #2 doubles, with Kerry Heitmiller and Erin Laschinger defeating Jenna Feldman and Claire Gottsch, 6-3 and 6-2.

Match even at 2-2, with the #3 doubles to decide it all.  Senior Catherine Gamper and junior Brittany Katz teamed up for BMS, facing the junior duo of Stephanie Caronna and Brooke Jordan for NDP.  Caronna/Jordan jumped out and grabbed the first set, 6-1, but Gamper/Katz rebounded to win the second, 7-6.

These four began the final and deciding set, but due to a combination of a late start and extended volleys, creeping darkness became a factor and halted play in the third set.  Players and coaches agreed to come back and finish the match on Friday.

I got to cover the match in person both days, and in speaking to a number of people, all agreed how different the scenario was on Friday �?? just some team members and a few parents watching a solitary match on one court, after being surrounded by maybe a thousand people and a sea of activity the day before.

The foursome took up where they left off, tied at one set apiece and NDP leading 2-1 in the final set. And they literally took up where they left off, with the first few games featuring long, extended volleys, as was the case on Thursday.

When asked how hard it was to have to go home Thursday evening and dwell on the finish of the match then, and all day at school on Friday, NDP�??s Jordan said �??I was really nervous, it was difficult not thinking about it. My brother plays tennis and tried to talk me through it, but it was still tough,�?� echoing the sentiments of the other three players.

They split the first two, giving NDP a 3-2 lead, and after changing sides, also split the next two, NDP now up 4-3. BMS won the next to forge a 4-4 tie, and then, down 40-0, the Bryn Mawr duo rallied back as Gamper had a key back-hand at the net and then a huge cross-court return to give BMS the game and a 5-4 lead.

With backs against the wall and the momentum now shifted, Caronna and Jordan responded, as the pair won to make it a 5-5 match. The Blazers took the next game as well, turning a 5-4 deficit into a 6-5 lead, and the chance to serve for match.

With Caronna serving, NDP took 15-0 lead and then Jordan attacked the net with an overhand smash for 30-0.  NDP won the next point and then Jordan nailed another vicious return for match-point.

When asked about her mindset being down 5-4, Jordan added that �??I was nervous the night before, but I wasn�??t nervous at all then because I was serving,�?� she said, exhibiting a calm confidence.  Bryn Mawr Coach Kate Brendler added. "I think the coaches were more nervous than the players."  Brendler was very gracious in defeat, complementing the NDP duo. �??I expected big serves from Brooke, but Stephanie really came up with some clutch shots down the stretch.�?�

Now, a weekend for coaches and players to mull it over, somewhat as the final foursome did in their 25-hour match.  Bryn Mawr controls its own fate for a share of the title if it can beat McDonogh, but needs help for a sole championship.

Bryn Mawr, after having its long win streak snapped by the Sailors a week ago, is now a big fan of Mount de Sales.  MDS is not in the picture; Coach Eileen Facchina�??s team came on very strong in the end after making some mid-season line-up adjustments, but having three losses puts them out of it. 

But the Sailors can do the Mawrtians a huge favor with a win over NDP on Monday. That would give Bryn Mawr the conference title outright, more difficult that planned, but Brendler and team would gladly take it.

Brendler must focus her team on the task at hand, with a Mawrtian win at McDonogh on Monday �?? AND hope that Mount de Sales can knock off Notre Dame Prep. Make sure the cell phones are charged.

Notre Dame Prep 3, Bryn Mawr 2

#1 singles: Erica Choo (BMS) def Frances Hutton (NDP), 6-4, 6-3
#2 singles: Kasey Harvey (NDP) def Lauren Lanzo (BMS), 6-2, 6-0
#1 doubles: Maggie Li/Gussie MacLaughlin (BMS) def Katie Herschner/Caroline Kable (NDP), 6-1, 6-2
#2 doubles: Kerry Heitmiller/Erin Laschinger (NDP) def Jenna Feldman/Vlaire Gottsch (BMS), 6-3, 6-2
#3 doubles: Stephanie Caronna/Brooke Jordan (NDP) def Catherine Gamper/Brittany Katz (BMS), 6-1, 6-7, 7-5