UPDATED WITH STATS: ESA beats Central Catholic in volleyball quarterfinal

LAFAYETTE -- The match score in Thursday's Division V volleyball quarterfinal was 3-0 for third-seeded Episcopal School of Acadiana over No. 6 Central Catholic.

The game scores tell a different story: 25-20, 25-22, 25-23. The match at the Cajundome resulted in as close a 3-0 win as you're likely to see, featuring narrow leads and multiple lead changes from the middle of the first game on.

ESA, a perennial small-school power, was led by Peyton Stokley, who logged 12 kills and set up her teammates with 13 assists.

"They're a solid team," Central Catholic coach Kindra Solar said after the match. "They're smart. They make adjustments."

After some early first-game jitters, Central Catholic battled back into contention, led by Madison Landry with seven kills and Gweneth Dohmann with six. Emily Lipari had 14 digs and three aces to lead the Eagles in both categories.

One stretch in the third game showed how tight the match became.

A tap over the net by Central Catholic's Bri'yannah Johnson put the Eagles ahead 16-13. ESA pulled even at 21-21 before Johnson slammed home a kill to put Central Catholic ahead again.

But two misfires at the net and a dink by Stokley clinched the game and the match for ESA.

"Honestly, we just never gave up," Solar said. "I had a smile on my face the whole time. ... They never gave up on themselves."

Natalie Sloane had a block for Central Catholic, and Ava Calais added 10 digs.

The quarterfinal match was the last in high school for Central Catholic three seniors: Madison Lancon, Dohmann and Hamer.

Solar praised the leadership shown by the seniors and their teammates.

"It really made it enjoyable," Solar said.