TORONTO — The Toronto volleyball team won one for its three seniors.

Madonna won the first game, however, Toronto responded to win the next three as the Red Knights overcame early deficits in the last two games to rally for a 20-25, 25-19, 25-21, 25-21, victory Wednesday night on Senior Night inside the George J. Kunzler Memorial Gymnasium.

“It is Senior Night, and the girls came out and played for our three seniors,” first-year Toronto (8-12) head coach Shannon Bahen said. “The seniors have done a lot for the program. They have helped build it up for the future after them. We played unselfish volleyball. Everyone did their job, and we were able to come away with a win.”

With the win, the girls from the Gem City earned a split in the season series. The visitors from Hancock County won the first match, 3-1, Sept. 8 at home.

“We mixed around with our lineup,” Bahen said about the differences in the two matches. “We have a brand new setter in the lineup. Madonna played aggressive. They played lights out like they did the first time.

“We were prepared tonight. The girls worked really hard in the offseason, and they work really hard at practice and every day. We needed to get this win on Senior Night.”

Prior to the start of the match, Toronto honored its three seniors — Gracee Rex, JJ Rebich and Chloe Fisher.

Game 1 was tied at 10 before the girls in blue built an 18-15 advantage forcing Bahen to call a timeout. The girls in white cut their deficit down to two points at 20-18 before the visitors regained the momentum. Madonna took a 22-18 lead as Bahen called another timeout, but the Blue Dons went to win the game by five to take a 1-0 lead in the match.

Game 2 was also knotted at 10 after 20 points had been scored, however, this time, Toronto was the one to gain the momentum as the Red Knights built an 18-14 lead forcing Madonna (16-8-1) head coach Jaedyn Hissam to call a timeout. She called another one with her team down 22-17, however, the victors advantage grew to 23-17 as Toronto went on to win the game by six points to even the match at 1-1.

The Blue Dons jumped out to a 7-3 lead in Game 3 resulting in Bahen calling a timeout. Madonna’s lead grew to 9-3. The Blue Dons had the momentum on their side, however, the Red Knights were able to turn the tide as Toronto battled back to tie the score at 12.

Madonna scored the next point to regain the lead, however, Toronto took the lead at 17-16. The game ended up being tied at 19, however, the Red and White tallied the next two points resulting in Hissam having to call a timeout. Toronto’s lead grew to 22-19 before the Red Knights secured the win by four to take a 2-1 lead.

Madonna raced out to a 5-1 advantage in Game 4 as Bahen called a timeout. The Red Knights were able to stop the bleeding as the home team went on a run to take an 11-9 lead causing Hissam to call a timeout. Toronto extended its advantage out to 14-10 before the Blue Dons battled back and closed to within 15-14 making Bahen call a timeout.

The Red Knights responded and took an 18-14 lead, but the Blue Dons came back and closed to within 18-17. The winners regrouped and increased their advantage to 20-17. Ultimately, the lead grew to 23-19, and Toronto did what it had to do down the stretch to secure a four-point win in the game to win the match, 3-1.

Individually for the Red Knights, Kylie Mitchell tallied 12 kills and three blocks, Rex recorded one kill and 17 digs and Rebich contributed one kill and 14 assists. Also, Chloe Fisher finished with seven kills and 10 blocks, Danielle Sutherin delivered 16 kills and Jayna Reeves collected eight kills. Next, Sydney Fisher added five kills, Brynn Donnelly chipped in with four digs and Emma Parello produced three kills. Finally, Jaylee Brown ended up with two digs.

The match was the third in as many days for the girls from Jefferson County as Toronto played Lisbon Monday at home before playing Wheeling Central Tuesday on the road.

“It is,” Bahen said asked if it is hard playing three days in a row. “I’m exhausted. We will play in the OVAC consolations next week, and then it is tournament time. It’s hard to believe it is almost here.”

Madonna is scheduled to play a tri-match starting at 5 p.m. today at home against Magnolia and Valley.

The match was the final one for Toronto before the cutoff to qualify for the annual OVAC Tournament. Madonna’s tri will be the team’s last two matches before today’s cutoff.