Both teams fought hard in a match that could easily have gone either way.

May sound like a trite statement, but in this case the volleyball encounter between Hot Springs and Arlee was just that.

However, in the end, it was the home standing Arlee squad who had the extra something it takes to overcome an adversary as the Scarletts came away with a 3-0 sweep of the visiting Lady Savage Heat.

Set number one proved to be a harbinger of things to come as the visitors from Hot Springs jumped out to an early lead that at one points was 7-3, only to see the Scarletts reach deep and fend off the initial assault.

The Scarletts tied the game at 14, then pulled steadily away from a determined group of Lady Heat, building a late four-point lead that they would never relinquish in set one.

Arlee took the opening game 25-14 and the 1-0 match lead that goes with it.

The Scartletts had a little easier time of it in the second and what ultimately proved to be deciding set, as they broke an early 4-4 tie and methodically added to it the rest of the set, finally putting Hot Springs away for a 25-16 set two win and a commanding 2-0 match advantage.

In what was the final game of the match, Hot Springs battled from behind to tie the score three times, the last a 14-14 knotting. From that point on, Arlee took control and maintained a razor thin lead up to the final whistle as the home team held on for a 25-22 game three win and a 3-0 match sweep.

Hot Springs took part in the Mineral County challenge tournament the next day. Next up on the conference schedule for the Lady Heat is a home game this Thursday when they take on the Lady Tigers from St. Regis. Hot Springs will then stay at home for a Saturday night match versus Noxon.