FORT DODGE – Staring at a two set deficit, the Webster City volleyball team had the option of going through the motions and heading home or fighting until the bitter end here last night.

The Lynx chose the latter and the pay-off was a stunning five-set victory.

After dropping the first and second sets, WCHS jumped on the backs of hitters Taylor Schnathorst and Olivia Myers and stormed back to knock off North Central Conference rival St. Edmond, 22-25, 23-25, 25-17, 25-16, 15-10.

Schnathorst bashed a match-high 22 kills, while Myers laced 20 and was the more efficient of the two with a .385 kill percentage. Myers made just five errors in 39 swings.

“Olivia’s efficiency was huge for us,” WCHS head coach Jess Howard said. “Every time the setter got her the ball, you could count on the point being scored. (St. Edmond) couldn’t handle either one of them when they were attacking the ball.”

Howard took responsibility for the slow start. She opted to switch her rotations in an attempt to compensate for a hand injury for setter Sarah Vogelbacher that was suffered earlier in the week. But the changes backfired.

“The first game was my fault,” Howard said. “I tried to switch my setters around and it threw everything out of sync. We switched it back to normal in the second game and we finally found our rhythm towards the end of that game and then really took charge in games three, four and five.”

Vogelbacher was able to play and the junior distributed 27 assists. Courtney Lampman handed out 22.

Kamry Dawson (eight kills), Halle Mason (four) and Lampman (four) were all key pieces of the offense as well. WCHS (12-9, 3-2 NCC) hit .208 as a team in keeping St. Edmond (8-14, 0-5 NCC) winless in the conference. Howard credits her players for staying mentally strong.

“The perseverance they showed was huge, especially at this point in the season,” she said. “It shows a lot about their character and how hard they’re willing to work.”

Myers also collected four blocks and Dawson added three.

Lynx libero Gianna Gourley registered 22 digs. Schnathorst and Mason both finished with 21. Schnathorst also produced a team-best five service aces.

WCHS will travel to Algona to take on Bishop Garrigan Monday night.