Lincoln Christian's season ended on Thursday, as the No. 5 Bulldogs fell in a classic to No. 4 Victory Christian in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A State Volleyball Tournament.

Lincoln (24-14) got up 2-1 through three sets and needed just one more to advance to Friday's semifinals, but Victory took the final two sets to win in five.

"We are heartbroken but I'm so proud of the girls and our team," said Lincoln head coach Deidra Rader. "It felt like a state championship with the battle that it became."

The Bulldogs won the opening set 26-24 before Victory matched with a 25-15 win. The Bulldogs took the 3rd set, beating Victory 25-23. However, Victory got up early in the 4th set and won 25-12 before taking the final set 15-10.

It was Lincoln's 16th straight state tournament appearance.

The opening set saw several lead changes, as Lincoln led early before Victory jumped back in front at 6-5. However, the Bulldogs went on a 6-1 run to take an 11-7 lead.

Victory responded with five straight to regain the lead at 12-11 before Lincoln took the lead until late.

Victory tied the set at 24-24, but Lincoln scored the final two points to take it, thanks to a set-ending kill from Olivia Tucker.

The Conquerors led 7-3 in the second set before Lincoln battled and took a 12-11 lead. It would be the last lead Lincoln had in that set, as Victory jumped back in front and tied things up.

The Bulldogs got down again in the 3rd set, trailing 7-3. However, Lincoln continued to battle and took an 11-9 lead midway through.

Neither team could separate, as the teams were tied at 22-22 before Lincoln finished late to go up 2-1 through three sets.

Victory led early and maintained throughout the 4th set to take things to the final and 5th set.

Lincoln opened the match with a 2-0 lead, thanks to back-to-back kills from Jada Faulkner and Tucker. Lincoln led 5-3, needing just 10 more points to advance.

But Victory went on a 5-0 run and the Bulldogs were never able to regain the lead.

"One of the big differences is they were able to ace us 16 times and we only got them three times," said Rader. "Their libero had some unbelievable saves that they turned around to score on."

Tucker led the Bulldogs with 19 kills in the match, while Faulkner had 15 for Lincoln.

Emily Ingraham and Francesca Rollandini each had 17 digs on defense for Lincoln, while Tucker and Ellie Stine each had 14. Maleah Levell had eight in a solid performance for Lincoln.

Tucker led the way for Lincoln with eight blocks, while Harlow Brown contributed seven.

Rollandini, Tucker and Avarie Castagna each had an ace for Lincoln in the loss.

Photos by Lee Talley