OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - After trying to mount a rally late in the second set, Highland (23-5, 3-3 KJCCC) found a brief surge in the third but couldn't sustain the momentum, falling 3-0 (25-15, 25-9, 25-18) to no. 9 Johnson County on Friday night.

JCCC opened up an early lead, but a kill by Cali Honeyman trailing 5-2 sparked the Scotties to a brief comeback attempt. Honeyman looked to have tied the match at 6-6 with a hit off the block and out, but a successful challenge pushed the score to 7-5 in favor of the hosts.

Back-to-back off-norm kills by Gracie Klecan and Tailyn Kadavy pulled Highland onto level terms at 7-7. After spotting a hole in the Johnson County defense, the Scottie libero sent an attack into the back corner for a kill, with Kadavy trading a big swing for a deft dink around the block.

Unfortunately, Highland found itself on the wrong end of a couple of long rallies before dropping the first set.

Although the second set clearly favored the home team, Highland was able to spark a small rally after Harley Blackwell dropped a changeup serve for an ace that had the Cavaliers struggling. The Scotties ended the second set with a 6-4 run, but weren't able to close the gap.

Highland wrestled the momentum away from Johnson County to start the third, with Jaala Stewart dropping a back-handed kill to start a 6-2 HCC run. Kadavy blasted a rocket down the right line to keep Highland in front 8-4, with Blackwell recording a solo block to put Highland up 12-7.

JCCC was able to battle back, eventually taking the lead at 16-15 and closing out the match.

Highland returns to Ben Allen Field House for a Jayhawk Conference matchup against Coffeyville on Wednesday. First serve is set for 6 p.m.