And, for the senior star of the Cherry Hill East High School volleyball team, being down one game in the opening round of Group 4 state tournament Tuesday wasn't the Great Wall of the Little White Round Ball.

Actually, for Foss and her fellow senior starters, Heather Leonhardt and Angela Miller, the early deficit in their own gym to a surprising Cherokee squad - a team the Cougars beat in their two regular-season Olympic Conference American Division meetings - became only a hurdle.

"We knew we would pick it up," Foss, a four-year starter, said.

Foss and the 6-foot-1 Leonhardt, a middle, and Miller, a defensive specialist, did just that by winning the next two games to turn back the Chiefs 2-1.

However, the comeback was far from a day of volleyball on the beach, which made it even more admirable how East was able to climb out on top.

The pressure was indeed on the Cougars. East had lost to powerful Bridgewater-Raritan in the state finals last season, while Cherokee was in its first year of existence and, consequently, playing its inaugural playoff match. East was the fifth seed while the Chiefs were the No. 28 seed. Still, the Cougars lost the opening game 25-18.

"I had confidence that we would all step up," Foss said. "We all have aspirations of not only winning in the first round, but also the state championship."

Another reason for the confidence was when East came from behind to win a quarterfinal match against Southern and then the semifinals against Newark-East Side last year on its ride to the finals.

"It was frustrating, but I knew we would step up and pull together," Leonhardt said. "We've done it before and we were able to pull together, and I figured we'd be able to do it again this time."

Added Miller: "Last year, we came from behind, so I knew we could do it."

The difference this year, however, was the match was only best-of-three games, while it was the best-of-five last year. Over the summer, the NJSIAA Executive Committee voted to shorten the matches.

And, although the new format adds to the excitement, intensity and urgency - which is all great for the fans - it reduces the margin for error.

Therefore, against a rapidly improving Cherokee team that was playing with absolutely nothing to lose, since no one outside of the Chiefs' program expected them to win, East suddenly found itself with no room for mistakes.

The Cougars had to win the next two games or they only would be looking ahead to playing volleyball on the sand this summer, and not playing at home again in the second round against the winner of Bayonne/Westfield at 3:45 p.m. on Friday.

And, that's exactly what East did, winning the next two games quite comfortably, 25-16 and 25-13.

The composure in this must-win situation of Foss, Leonhardt, Miller, Laurel Johnson, Jacie Davis, Aubry McNally and Carolyn Mooney was rather impressive, especially since there were more Cherokee fans at the East gym, thus making it feel like the Cougars were actually on the road.

"We do have a lot of experience," Foss said, reasoning why East never flinched and was able to regroup so quickly and solidly.

East also has a great leader in Foss.

Foss is generally acknowledged as the best setter in the state. She was the Courier-Post Player of the Year last season and has to be considered the front-runner to win the coveted award again.

Against Cherokee, with her team's heels dug into the hardwood court where boys' basketball coach John Valore has patrolled for so long and for so many wins, Foss showed that what makes her a great player is much more than just her physical skills.

Foss did what the extraordinary leaders do and that is lead by example. Her team needed points, so Foss got East points. She did this by collecting a team-high seven kills. And, going for the points didn't stop her from setting up points, either, as she finished with a team-high 14 assists.

"Sam always gives us life, she picks us up," Leonhardt, who had two kills, said. "She is a great person and she is great to have on the court."

Agreed Miller: "She is always there to give us high fives and to bring our heads back into the game."