It was, instead, supposed to be about outlasting the Knights (21-6), who swept the Tartans for the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title in 2021 and 2022. But 10 minutes in, Sellman delivered, going ace, ace, kill, ace and kill, to put Holy Cross in command.

“We’ve been searching for a rhythm all season,” Sellman said, “and I think we’ve started to find it.”

Across the past four years in Kensington, the 6-foot-4 senior displayed the sort of talent that earned her international acclaim and eventual captainship on the U.S. under-19 national team this past summer. Competing in Hungary and Croatia, she led the team to a world title. Holy Cross Coach Dave Geiser said she returned stateside with a little something extra.

And while Sellman said her game is improved from her international play, she also brought back the mental tools to make her teammates feel heard in the huddle, valued on the court and imbued with a short-term memory after lost rallies. Last Saturday, in a win over No. 2 Flint Hill, it resonated.

On Friday, it happened again.

“She’s positive, encouraging — everything you could ask for in a leader” senior Jaylyn Simon said.

The Tartans jumped out to quick leads on Friday night, amassing leads of 10-3, 9-3 and 15-5 across the three sets. But on a pack-the-house kind of night, momentum needed sustaining. The Tartans, with exceptionally strong service, profited from just about every corner of their roster.

Late in the first set, support came from junior Rowan Johnson, whose two kills closed the door on a late O’Connell push. Throughout, freshman libero Kate Bickel played headstrong defense to extend rallies. Two aces from Simon closed out the second set and ushered in a painless final set.

“That depth is something we haven’t had as much in the past,” Simon said. “We’re deep this year. Everyone came through tonight.”