Sometimes a rivalry can bring out the best in both sides.

That’s what happened Tuesday when Selma (2-6) and Dallas County (4-3) battled on the volleyball court in a five-set thriller. At times both teams seemed to be on their way to closing out the match, but in the end it was Dallas County who stormed back from a fifth set deficit for a 23-25, 25-12, 20-25, 25-15, 18-16 victory.

“I love it when we play Selma High because it doesn’t matter what the record is — that’s thrown out the window. We always give each other a good game,” said Dallas County head coach Linda Moore.

Both teams had chances to put the match away before the fifth set, but neither could take advantage.

Dallas County led Selma 22-18 in the first set before allowing the Saints to win seven of the last eight points. The Hornets dominated the second set and led the third 19-16, before Selma again rallied by them to steal the set.

With the match on the line, Dallas County seized control early in the fourth set after taking a 9-1 lead and didn’t look back. Alexis Goodwin and Tyala Bonner’s play at the net led the Hornets to tie the match and force a decisive fifth set.

After a match where long volleys and showdowns at the net were the norm, the fifth set lived up to the billing.

Selma jumped out to a 3-1 lead after three successful serves by Alashya Manuel, but Dallas County won the next five points. Right on cue, Selma bounced back to tie the match 7-7 as the teams fought for control.

The Hornets took a 12-10 lead and appeared to be on the verge of putting the match away, but Selma answered by winning the next four points. The Saints served into the net and then hit a long return to give the Hornets new life at 14-14, which meant the first team to get up two would win the match.

After several mistakes on both sides, Dallas County was up 17-16 with a chance to put the match away. A serve by Goodwin forced the Saints to play defense and when Selma’s return went into the net, Dallas County players rushed to the floor in celebration.

“They made us battle,” Moore said. “We are just lucky that we are the ones that came out on top, but they are a great team.”

Selma head coach Melissa White wasn’t happy with the way her team closed the match, especially when they had a chance to put it away. The young Saints don’t have a senior on the roster and that inexperience may have cost them down the stretch.

“They have to learn how to work past the frustration, just being irritable and irritated,” White said. “If it doesn’t go your way, that’s fine. Make up for it. That’s what they have to get in their head in order to be a quality player or to be a quality team.”

Dallas County’s next match is Thursday at Demopolis while Selma hosts Isabella.