BEL AIR, Md. - The Harford volleyball team (8-2, 4-0 MD JUCO) moved into first place in the conference with a five-set thrilling win over Frederick (5-4, 2-2 MD JUCO) on Thursday. The Fighting Owls then lost in straight sets to Northern Virginia.

The loss was just Harford's second of the season, and both have come at the hands of NOVA in three sets. The Fighting Owls scratched and clawed their way to victory against the Cougars, 25-21, 22-25, 25-22, 21-25, 15-12; but then were no match for NOVA, falling 25-14, 25-18, 25-12.

In the opener, Harford jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the first set, but the contest immediately turned into a battle. NJCAA National Player of the Week Lexie Roberts turned on the jets and pulled her team to the win column to remain unbeaten in conference play with a match-high 24 kills and 17 digs. She added four service aces and three blocks in the win.

Victoria Karayinoplous also had 17 digs and set the offense up well through Fabianna Della-Monica, who had 29 assists, and Julua Berg, who had 12.

Lauren Brown had six kills and a career-best nine blocks while her sister Alexis Goldston had seven kills and tied her career-high with seven blocks.

In the NOVA game, Roberts had five kills and 11 digs for the lone Harford highlight.

The Fighting Owls travel to the September Slam Tournament at Delaware Tech-Terry on Saturday for four matches, the first of which is against Northern Virginia.