CHILLICOTHE — The Washington Lady Lions varsity volleyball team traveled to Chillicothe Tuesday for a key match-up against defending Frontier Athletic Conference champions the Cavaliers.

Washington won the first set, then rallied from two sets to one down to defeat the Cavaliers in five sets.

Scores of the sets were: 28-26, 15-25, 13-25, 25-21, 15-13.

The Lady Lions are now in first place in the FAC at 3-0.

The win was a game of heart, according to Washington head coach Ashley DeAtley.

“Our girls showed resiliency throughout the entire match and were determined that they weren’t going down without a fight,” DeAthley said. “Rayana (Burns) had an amazing night for us all the way around. Halli Wall and Mackenzie Truex did a very nice job of covering the right side and we were prepared for them to attack that side of the court.”

Burns had another 20-plus kills match with 25.

“All of our girls really stepped up in different ways,” DeAtley said. “It was a total team effort. We had a tough time in (the second and third sets) gaining any kind of momentum so we kept our composure with everything Chillicothe was bringing to us.

“Their libero and Sophie Fulkerson were not letting much hit the floor,” DeAtley explained. “So we were rallying to move things around as much as possible and find the holes. They served tough at us and we had to make adjustments.”

Washington pulled together trailing two sets to one, vowing they would not lose the match, DeAtley said.

“They never gave up from then on,” DeAthley said. “It was a huge win for us but (we are still in) round one of league play. Each year we know crazy things happen so we have to work to improve and still get better each day to get to one of our goals this season: (being) FAC champions.”

Brittney Wilson had 13 kills, three ace serves, 11 digs, one solo block and three block assists.

In addition to 25 kills, Burns had one ace serve, 13 digs, three solo blocks and six block assists.

Halli Wall had 32 set assists, 28 digs, seven block assists and one ace serve.

Aaralyne Estep had 23 digs and Mackenzie Truex had 11 digs.

Washington (7-4 overall) is at home against Jackson today at 5 p.m. and will host a tri-match with Logan Elm and Zane Trace Saturday, beginning at 10 a.m.

Washington will play at Miami Trace Tuesday at 5 p.m.