Fontainebleau (42-2) dropped the first game Tuesday against Northlake Christian School (26-11), but came back with a vengeance to down the Lady Wolverines 24-26, 25-15, 25-12, 25-16 in a benefit match to help raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness.

Lady Bulldogs’ senior Jessica Guttierrez turned in a sterling performance pounding 14 kills with 15 digs, three blocks and two assists. Guttierrez’ mom, Michelle, was diagnosed with breast cancer back in August and had a double mastectomy in October. Her Mom, a permanent fixture at Fontainebleau games, was on hand Tuesday at the NCS gym with other family members. FHS and NCS decided to put on the benefit game to help support the Guttierrez family.

Guttierrez talked about the importance of the match.

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“It has been really tough for my mom and all that she is going through. We played Mandeville when she had her surgery and it was hard for me to play that match not having her there because she has always been there for me,” Guttierrez said. “It’s been tough on our family, but she has been doing really well. We are praying for her. Our entire community has been behind us during our time of need. It is a grateful thing that everybody is behind us helping us out.”

Guttierrez said her team must continue to work hard to accomplish their goal of winning a state championship. The Lady Bulldogs were the Division I state runner up last year falling to St. Joseph’s Academy.

“If we can get our energy level back and play hard we will be fine going into the playoffs,” the senior said.

Northlake Christian came out with lots of energy in game one and took control for a 4-1 on three service points by Hannah Miranda, whose day would end early as she sprained an ankle in game two and was kept out of the lineup as a precautionary measure.

Game one was tied nine different times. With the game tied 14-14 Miranda ran off four consecutive points. Monica Raymond tallied three kills and Molly Boyer netted one during the Miranda run.

Guttierrez downed a kill and Delaney Pittari added one (14 total) before NCS’ Boyer pounded a kill to give the Lady Wolverines a 19-16 lead. The game was tied at 20-20 and again at 21-21 before NCS took charge and grabbed the game 26-24 in a thrilling victory.

FHS fourth-year coach Danny Tullis said his club didn’t come out with any fire in game one.

“Northlake Christian had tons of intensity and fire to open the match and we had zero. At the level they are playing and we are playing you play with zero intensity you will come up on the losing end 99 percent of the time. Our players picked up their effort, but the match lost its luster when Hannah (Miranda) got hurt,” Tullis said.

NCS also rushed out to an early 3-0 lead in game two behind Miranda’s three points. FHS’ Pittari produced a kill to cut the NCS lead to 8-6 and she followed with three service points. Taylor Anderson registered two kills and finished with 10 kills in the match. The Lady Bulldogs took a 9-8 lead on a net violation and NCS’ Miranda was injured on the play as one of her teammates slid under her.

Miranda finished with 15 assists, 14 digs, eight kills and two blocks in her limited play before going out with the sprained ankle.

At 10-10, the Lady Bulldogs’ Caitlyn Auxilien, who generated 18 digs, served four straight points. FHS never relinquished the lead from that point. Guttierrez did her share reeling off five straight points with two aces to build a 21-12 advantage en route to a 25-14 victory.

FHS setter Michelle Cabeceiras did a nice job spreading the ball around to the Lady Bulldogs hitters finishing with 44 assists, while also contributing nine digs.

FHS reversed the table and ran out to an early 3-0 lead in game three with Pittari hitting on three consecutive serves including kills by Guttierrez and Anderson.

Following a kill by NCS’ Jenny O’Rear, FHS’ Anderson tallied on a dink to make it 4-1. Auxilien stepped in and rattled off seven straight points with an ace.

With NCS trailing 11-2, Chandler Burkenstock tallied three points, but FHS regained focus and led 14-7 on a kill by Sarah Ulm. Rebecca Chautin added four points to push the lead to 18-7. Leading 22-11, FHS’ Auxilien nailed two serves with an ace and Guttierrez closed out game three with a kill as the Lady Bulldogs won 25-12.

FHS kept up its momentum opening game four with a 3-1 advantage. Morgan Todd connected for six straight points to increase the margin to 9-1. NCS’ Emily Miller got a kill to end the run. Miller finished with six kills and 17 digs for the Lady Wolverines. FHS’ Pittari tallied three straight for a 14-3 lead. Catie Bates delivered one of her nine kills on the day for FHS to give the Lady Bulldogs an 18-7 lead. Morgan Marlbrough chipped in with three straight points off the bench to build a 21-7 lead. The Lady Dawgs went on to take game four 25-16.

NCS’ Monica Raymond contributed 16 digs, nine kills and one block for the Lady Wolverines. Mary Wilson delivered a team-high 19 digs and 15 assists, while Emily Miller tallied 17 digs and six kills. Boyer netted six kills and had a block.

FHS assistant coach Jimmy Guttierrez said it has been a blessing to see the community come together in a time of need for his family.

“The outreach of the community and the people that are involved in volleyball has been great. It’s a great feeling knowing they are there to support my wife Michelle and our family. It’s what this world is made of,” coach Guttierrez said.

Gutttierrez, who is a captain in the Kenner Fire Department, said even though his family is dealing with adversity with the illness, his daughter Jessica and himself still have an obligation to the team. Guttierrez said he is proud of the way his daughter has handled herself.

“Jessica never gives up and is a true team player. It’s a great feeling to watch your kid continue to work hard and play the game the right way in what she and her teammates have accomplished.”

NCS first-year coach Rowland Skinner said it was more than just a tune up match for his Lady Wolverines.

“It was a great cause. Anytime anybody goes through adversity like the Guttierrez family is, we feel for them. We are praying for the family and every little bit helps. We hope we were able to help out by raising some money and it can go to good use and hopefully one day find a cure,” Skinner said.

The Lady Wolverines were dressed out in pink uniforms, which they had gotten last year and wanted to show their support.

NCS played without sophomore libero Allie McLain, who was out with the flu and FHS was without the services of sophomore hitter Haley Bonneval, who is recovering from a bruised foot as she gets rested for the playoffs.

FHS, the No. 2 seed in Division I, drew a bye and hosts a regional round game Monday.

NCS, a No. 2 seed in Division IV after moving up in classification and the two-time defending state champion in Class 1A, also drew a bye. The Lady Wolverines will host a regional round game on Monday.