There’s magic at King’s School’s Mike Martin Gym for the South Whidbey volleyball team.

South Whidbey avenged a five-set loss earlier this season to the Cascade Conference third-place King’s team Thursday night. The come-from-behind win was the first over the Lady Knights in recent memory for the Falcons.

“I don’t remember the last time we beat King’s in volleyball,” said Falcon head coach Mandy Jones, beaming with a smile while being congratulated by spectators following South Whidbey’s 25-20, 16-25, 20-25, 25-22, 16-14 win.

The passion displayed by the Falcons (5-6 Cascade Conference, 6-6 overall) was reminiscent of last year’s squad that secured a state tournament berth on that very court. Energy and enthusiasm were keys to the victory, according to a trio of players critical in South Whidbey’s upset victory.

“All we knew is we had to be louder, cheer louder than them and play our best,” said Falcon senior Anne Madsen. “We knew we had to keep going high instead of staying low.”

“Early, we kept cheering loud, talking to each other,” she added. “Communication was a big thing tonight, and we definitely had that.”

Following the third set, King’s (9-2 conference, 9-2 overall) appeared to be en route to another win over South Whidbey, despite the Falcons’ strong opening in the first set.

South Whidbey pulled away in the fourth set after an 11-11 tie. The Falcons got a block from junior Morgan Davis, followed by a pair of out of bounds hits by King’s, and were able to hold on to the lead and closed out the set with an Anne Madsen tip and an Abby Hodson kill.

Thursday’s match was one where the stars shone brightly for both teams. For the Falcons, seniors Madsen and Hodson led the way with 21 and 10 kills, respectively. Madsen also recorded 14 digs and four blocks. Hodson chipped in with 15 digs, three aces and a pair of blocks. Sara Bryant, the Falcons’ junior libero, had 22 digs to go with four aces. Katherine Read, a junior, started for South Whidbey as their setter and powered the offense with 26 assists.

King’s had a trio of players with double-digit kills. Lady Knights junior Daylee Hanson led with 14 kills, senior Savanna Hanson had 13 kills, and senior Hannah Green recorded 12.

Yet for all of the star power, a South Whidbey sophomore made a major impact Thursday. Falcon middle hitter Megan Drake, a first-year varsity player, served to close out the match.

Going into the tie-breaking fifth set, momentum had swung South Whidbey’s way. The Falcons opened with a quick point on an errant hit by the Lady Knights. Neither team led by more than two points at any stretch in a set that was tied 10 times.

South Whidbey regained serve trailing 14-13, handing Drake the ball.

“For all of our seniors, I did not want to let them down whatsoever,” Drake said, later explaining that after she got the lead she began to feel anxious.

After an error by the Lady Knights, King’s coach Jeff Fransen called timeout. The following serve was an ace by Drake. Then Davis and sophomore Kacie Hanson combined to score the game-winning block, shocking King’s and sending South Whidbey’s players storming onto the court, huddling together, screaming, jumping around, hugging and crying.

“It feels so freaking great,” Hodson said, wiping tears away. “I can’t get over it. I’m sorry I’m crying.”

The match was a major victory for South Whidbey, which moved into fourth place in league standings. Three of the top four teams in the Cascade Conference, which is evenly split between 2A and 1A schools, are 1A schools. Cedar Park Christian, a Bothell-based private school and new to the league, leads the conference as its only undefeated squad. The fourth 1A school is Sultan, which has yet to win a match this season. South Whidbey swept Sultan earlier this season and will attempt again in its final league game Oct. 27 on the Falcons’ home court.