Plattsburgh's Charlotte Castine (7) with the dig on the ball to keep the point alive. PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — The Plattsburgh Hornets remained unbeaten on the season Thursday night, rallying from an early setback to earn a 3-1 victory over the Ausable Valley Patriots in Champlain Valley Athletic Conference girls volleyball action. The Patriots entered the match at 1-2 and were determined to hand the Hornets their first loss of the season. Ausable Valley came out strong in a tightly contested opening set that featured several lead changes. Late in the set, the Patriots appeared to take control, building a 23-18 advantage. Plattsburgh refused to go away, however, mounting a comeback to tie the score and force extra points. Despite the Hornets' rally, the Patriots held on for a dramatic 27-25 victory and took a 1-0 lead in the match. After dropping the opening set, Plattsburgh responded convincingly. The Hornets came out energized in the second set and quickly established control behind strong serving and consistent play on both sides of the net. Plattsburgh cruised to a 25-14 victory to even the match at one set apiece. The Hornets kept the momentum in the third set. Ausable Valley struggled to slow down the Plattsburgh attack as the Hornets dominated from start to finish, pulling away for a commanding 25-10 win and a 2-1 lead in the match. Facing elimination, the Patriots looked to extend the contest in the fourth set, but the Hornets continued their strong play. Plattsburgh maintained the pressure throughout the set and closed out the match with a 25-15 victory, securing the 3-1 win in just over 90 minutes. With the victory, Plattsburgh improved to 4-0 on the season and will return to the court on Sept. 22 against the Northern Adirondack Bobcats. Ausable Valley dropped to 2-2 and will travel to Saranac on Sept. 21, looking to move back above .500. Gallery

Ausable Valley's (15) with the save on the bump for the Patriots' point.Gallery

Plattsburgh's Natalie Battinelli (11) with the spike between Ausable Valley defenders as she would get the point. It would be the last regular season game for the Plattsburgh Hornets as they would host the Ausable Valley Patriots in Section VII Volleyball action from the Plattsburgh High School. Before the game, they would honor the six seniors on the team. As for the match, the Hornets could win straight sets (25-16, 26-24, and 25-9). In the first two sets of the game, the Patriots would be holding their own and even have the lead a few times and had a chance to win the second set. With the win, the Plattsburgh Hornets would put the bow on their perfect season and go 16-0 as they head into the playoffs. As for the Ausable Valley Patriots, they will fall to 5-1 on the season as they have their season finale Wednesday Night against the Northeastern Clinton Cougars. Gallery

Ausable Valley's 5) with the backhanded flip shot over Plattsburgh's Sienna Ferguson as they were rallying in the first set. Gallery