MOUNT SHASTA – For folks who were fans of Southern Rock in the late 70s and early 80s, watching the last couple of Etna Lady Lions volleyball matches may bring back memories of the song “Flirtin’ with Disaster,” by Molly Hatchet.

First, Etna (9-1) went five games with the Modoc Braves (3-7), before eventually winning, 3-2, on Saturday. Then, Etna came out flat against the Mt. Shasta Lady Bears (5-5), escaping with a 3-1 win and needing two big comebacks to do it.

Etna, leading Fall River by 1 ½ games, is chasing a Shasta Cascade League title and has a legitimate opportunity for a top-four playoff seed. Mt. Shasta is fighting for its playoff life, and the Lady Bears were the team that appeared hungry for the win.

Game one was tied 6-6, when a side out gave Mt. Shasta the serve and a 7-6 lead. That started a 16-7 run for the Lady Bears, leading to a 22-13 advantage for Mt. Shasta.

A Bear service error made it 22-14, and sent Etna’s Emily Loogman behind the line. Etna took full advantage of the opportunity. A block by Annaleisa Nadig made it 22-15. Three kills by Claire Pynes, a Bear hitting error, and back-to-back aces by Loogman cut the lead to 22-21. A side out made it 23-21 for Mt. Shasta, but a kill by Pynes and an ace by Nadig tied the game at 23-23. Lady Bear Jeana Michels nailed a kill to regain the lead for Mt. Shasta 24-23. However, Pynes responded with another kill, to knot it at 24-24. A Bear hitting error brought the score to game point for Etna 25-24. A Nadig ace finished off the comeback, 26-24.

The Lady Bears could have folded after losing the large lead in game one. They didn’t. Instead, Mt. Shasta came right back and won game two. About two thirds of the way through the game, Etna took the lead 17-16 on an ace by Tandy Thackeray. Arianna Kosel answered for the Bears with a kill to tie the game at 17-17. The game was tied 21-21, when Pynes gave Etna the lead 22-21. An Etna service error tied it again at 22-22. Nadig went to the tip for a kill, putting Etna back in front 23-22, but another service error gave a point to Mt. Shasta and tied the score 23-23.

That was the opening the Lady Bears needed, as Christina Kane rotated to server and ripped two straight aces for the win, evening the match at a game a piece.

Games three and four were also close with Etna winning the third game 25-21, and the fourth game 26-24.

In game four, Michels brought the Lady Bears to the verge of victory with an ace, making the score 24-20. Pynes made sure that didn’t happen. A Pynes kill made it 24-21, and allowed her to rotate to server. Five serves later, including two aces, Etna had managed to escape defeat with a 26-24 game win, and a 3-1 match win.

With the win, Etna’s magic number for the SCL crown is “2.” Any combination of Etna wins or Fall River losses that add up to two, will earn the Lady Lions the championship.

Etna has games remaining next week with Trinity (2-6) at home on Tuesday, and third place Burney (7-3) in Burney on Thursday. Earlier in the season, Etna beat Trinity on the road, 3-1, and Burney at home 3-0.

If the Lady Lions sweep their remaining games they will not only win the league championship, but also be assured of opening the playoffs at home, as well as having the chance for a top four seed. Even one loss may result in the Lions heading on the road for the entire playoffs. They have little margin for error.

The Fall River Lady Bulldogs have games remaining on the road against winless Weed, and Modoc. They host Mt. Shasta in the final game of the regular season. Mt. Shasta likely poses the only serious threat the Bulldogs have remaining.

Mt. Shasta plays Weed at home next Tuesday, before closing the season at Fall River on Thursday. Mt. Shasta started the week ranked seventh in Division-IV. They will likely need a pair of wins to host a home playoff game.