PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth High boys’ varsity volleyball team came oh so close to upsetting the top-ranked team in Division III Thursday night.

The Patriots extended the undefeated Scituate/Prout co-op squad to a fifth and deciding set during a conference matchup in the PHS field house. 

The set scores were 22-25, 25-22, 25-23, 20-25, and 11-15.

The loss dropped Portsmouth to 5-3 in the conference and 6-3 overall. The Spartans improved to 8-0 in league play, and 9-0 overall.

Some individual stats from the game:

• Jack Loper — One ace, 22 digs, 48 assists

• Adam Banks — 17 digs

• Jack Casey — 15 kills, five blocks, eight digs

• Jaylen Ivy — Nine kills, four blocks, two digs

The Patriots had won five in a row before losing to Central Falls on April 26, and then Scituate/Prout on Thursday.

The team travels to St. Raphael Academy today (May 3) for a 4:45 p.m. contest. 

After that the Patriots will have a three-game home stand against Toll Gate (Tuesday, May 7, at 6 p.m.), Hope (Wednesday, May 8, at 5:30 p.m.), and Burrillville (Thursday, May 9, at 6 p.m.)

They’ll hit the road again against Tolman/Shea on Friday, May 10, at 6:30 p.m., before returning home to face Achievement First Providence on Tuesday, May 14, at 6 p.m.