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Exactly a year ago, Kelly Rosenberg was in the background during the Poolesville girls volleyball team's undefeated Class 1A state-championship run. With seven seniors on the squad, the setter and right side hitter could avoid the spotlight and assume the role of a follower.

Now, as just one of two Falcons that returned with any significant playing experience, the senior captain has relished her duty of team leader.

Rosenberg's veteran leadership was on display Thursday night in the Falcons 11th consecutive victory, a 14-25, 25-19, 25-13, 18-25, 15-7 triumph at No. 4 Damascus.

"I definitely think as a setter and four-year varsity player, I should be able to lead like that," said Rosenberg, who led all players with 13 kills. "It's up to me on the court. If people are down, I pick them up. But everyone is definitely part of our success."

After the opening set, which was dominated by the serves and attacks of Swarmin' Hornets outside hitter Sam Edwards (12 kills), Poolesville head coach Fran Duvall switched up her offense.

Duvall changed to a 6-2 alignment, which allows for two setters. The adjustment worked as the Falcons (12-1) controlled sets two and three.

Leading just 20-19 in set two, Rosenberg served out for the win.

"I felt like we needed Kelly touching the ball on both sides," Duvall said. "She tends to play better defense when she's hitting and setting. ... I am on her about [being a leader] and that is exactly what she did tonight. When she plays like that, she empowers the young kids to play like that too."

The Hornets (10-3) responded nicely in the fourth set. They built a 12-6 advantage and cruised behind Edwards' play and several Poolesville miscues.

"I called that last timeout at the end of the third game and said, ‘I don't care about the outcome of this game, but it's got to stop right now. We are like a car out of control,''' Hornets head coach Carl Merry said. "We got our energy back and started making some plays. They were smiling and getting excited again, so it set up a good fourth game for us."

In the deciding fifth set, the Hornets got within one, 7-6, following an Autumn Jenkins ace. But the Falcons closed the match on an 8-1 run behind timely serving from junior libero Paige Sekerak and setter Karishma Patel.

The reigning state champs have moved up in classification, but the change has not made much of a difference. According to Duvall, the Falcons have the best record in the 2A West Region, but may have to flip a coin with Francis Scott Key High to determine the top seed in next week's state playoffs.

"We needed that, believe it or not," Duvall said. "We haven't had to raise our intensity like tonight. I am worried at some point all this lack of challenge is going to bite us in the [backside] like it did a few years ago. I think this team is more athletic, but we aren't as volleyball savvy yet."

Meanwhile, Damascus has clinched the top spot in the 3A West Region for the second straight year.

In other action

No. 2 Good Counsel continued its drive towards a fourth consecutive WCAC championship by defeating Bishop O'Connell. The Falcons will face Paul VI, which defeated Holy Cross, for the third straight year in Saturday's championship match. The final is set for 11 a.m. at Trinity College (D.C.).

Kirby Buttry recorded 12 kills while Bridget Kulesh pitched in with seven as No. 3 Gaithersburg swept Seneca Valley.

Elsewhere, St. Stephens/St. Agnes downed Holton Arms, 25-18, 25-19, 23-25, 25-15. ... Maret beat Stone Ridge, 25-19, 24-26, 25-16, 25-20.