It had just about everything anyone would want for a rivalry volleyball match.

Two undefeated teams battling through five close sets before a raucous crowd.

Coupeville prevailed 3-2 (19-25, 25-20, 25-20, 24-26, 15-12) at South Whidbey Tuesday, Sept. 25.

The Wolves stayed tied with King’s for the North Sound Conference lead with a 2-0 record (4-0 overall). South Whidbey slipped to 1-1 (4-1).

“I’m thrilled for the girls and this hard-fought win,” coach Cory Whitmore said. “They have been putting in an incredible amount of work and preparation, so to earn a win on the road is very exciting.”

Whitmore liked how his players adjusted during the match and handled “what they threw at us” and came “back at them with an attack of our own.”

The Wolves recovered from losing the first set to claim the next two.

Coupeville trailed most of the fourth game but managed to tie the score at 20 and 24 before losing.

The Falcons jumped to 2-0 and 5-2 leads in the decisive fifth set, then kills by Ashley Menges and Maya Toomey-Stout helped the Wolves score four straight points to lead 6-5.

The teams traded leads until Coupeville went up 12-11 on a block by Emma Smith and Menges. Two hitting errors by the Falcons and Menges’ tip for match point sealed the deal.

“We did strong and smart work from the service line, attacking weakness and difficult areas, helping us to limit their attacks at the net,” Whitmore said.

Chelsea Prescott led the service effort with five aces; Menges added three.

“I thought we should have been stronger in our defense adjustments,” Whitmore said, “but down-the-stretch we came up big, slowing the ball down with the blocking and pulling up digs.”

Emma Mathusek paced the defense with 17 digs, and Prescott had 10. Menges and Smith each recorded a solo block.

The offense was led by setter Scout Smith, who tallied 27 assists.

“Scout set a great game, making great decisions and finding solid connections with her hitters,” Whitmore said.

Toomey-Stout registered 15 kills, Emma Smith 10, Menges seven and Prescott five.

Chelsea Prescott, left, and Scout Smith get pumped up to play during player introductions. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)

Emma Mathusek passes for Coupeville during Tuesday’s win. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)

Maya Toomey-Stout (3) supplies some offense for Coupeville. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)

Ashley Menges prepares to pass for the Wolves. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)

Scout Smith (2) back-sets to Chelsea Prescott. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)