NEW LONDON — New London and Holy Trinity Catholic have played some instant classics through the years.

Another classic was in the works on Thursday night in New London's Charles Lorber Gymnasium.

With a postseason atmosphere, which is always prevalent between the two rivals, it was the No. 4 Crusaders who won the night, 25-9, 25-21 and 25-19.

Holy Trinity coupled some fantastic serving with some great defense at the net.

In set one, it was all Holy Trinity as they lept out to 8-1, 15-4 and 20-8 leads.

Despite the tough start, New London figured it out in the final two sets.

The Tigers held the lead on six serves in the match's opening stages.

New London had a 6-4 lead before three straight points gave Holy Trinity back the lead, 7-6.

The Crusaders would never lose the lead despite the Tiger's consistent play.

After a miss hit by New London, Holy Trinity had a 16-9 lead and was looking like it would put the game away.

However, the Tigers had other plans.

They battled all the way back to within two as a Sophie Malott serve made it 18-16.

But a missed serve and missed hit put the Crusaders back up, 20-16.

Yet again, New London answered. On four Katelyn Allen serves and kicked off by a Tysann Gipple kill, the Tigers were able to knot the match at 20-20.

The Crusaders were able to stifle the run as they scored five of the following six points to win it.

In set three, it was much of the same.

The two squads were tied six times throughout the match, with the final coming at 17-17.

But a pair of kills by the Crusaders Natalie Randolph, followed by two more points, would give them the lead they needed.

A Gipple kill made it a three-point set, 21-18, but Holy Trinity scored four of the next five to win it.

Malott led the Tigers with seven kills in the game and 10 digs. Gipple ended with five kills, one block and nine digs.

Allen tallied 15 assists. Morgan Jones finished with 16 digs.

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