Team of two

True friends are there through both good and bad, as best pals Raisa Jones and Glory Epelle well know.

The juniors at Masterman High share plenty of fun times, including shopping trips at The Gallery and hanging out at each other’s houses.

One of the best moments of their friendship came just last Thursday, as the South Philly residents played in the Public League girls’ volleyball championship with their Masterman team.

Unfortunately, the day ended in a low point for the friends and their squad. The Masterman Blue Dragons lost 3-1 (25-19, 19-25, 28-30 and 21-25) to Central, which came as a blow to the varsity rookies.

"I am still upset over this loss, but we’ll get through it," said Epelle, of 20th and Mifflin streets.

Jones, of 17th and Kater, said she would apply the lessons of the loss to the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association AA tournament opener, which was played Tuesday night.

However, the team’s first foray into state competition proved too tough: Masterman lost the opener, 3-0, against District I representative Upper Merion.

The Blue Dragons won the right to represent the Public League — now known as PIAA District XII — with last week’s AA championship victory over the High School for the Creative and Performing Arts.

Jones and Epelle, both 16, are valuable members of their team, but they also are a powerful combo all their own.

Epelle starts at middle hitter. When it’s time to serve, Jones comes off the bench as a replacement.

"I know sometimes my serve doesn’t always go over the net or go inbounds," Epelle said. "I think that Raisa does a great job [serving]."

Jones said she has no issue with coming off the bench. In fact, she likes the chance to follow up her friend.

"I like to call us the one-two punch because we’re already best friends and we’ve been that since sixth grade," Jones said.

The pair met as students at Masterman Middle School, 17th and Spring Garden streets. They discovered an interest in volleyball that continued as they went on to attend high school in the same building.

Blue Dragons coach Dave Lieber said both players have been keys to the team this year.

Epelle earned a starting nod through hard work and talent, the coach added.

"Each week, she has played better and better and gained confidence," Lieber said. "Her basic skills and ability to be a team player are also important assets she has brought to the team this year."

Jones, meanwhile, is a valued substitute as a defensive specialist and server.

"Her game has improved by leaps and bounds as she has gotten more playing time," Lieber said.

Epelle and Jones also excel in the classroom, where their strong academic performances earned them admission to Masterman — a magnet school.

Though the courseload is "very challenging," the player said, she and Jones gladly squeeze in Masterman volleyball — one of the most successful girls’ programs in the sport in city history.

The Blue Dragons’ winning tradition includes 10 Public League titles since 1986, with the most recent coming last fall. Prior to last week’s loss to Central, the Center City squad had won 29 straight matches in Public League competition.

Aside from the Masterman squad, Jones and Epelle also play for the Philadelphia Starlings volleyball club. Lieber described the Starlings as part of a nationwide program designed to promote volleyball for females in the inner city and rural areas. Local practices are held at South Philadelphia High, Broad Street and Snyder Avenue.

"It helps us stay in good volleyball shape," Epelle said. "When next season comes, we’ll be ready."

That will mean being ready for Central, who Masterman battled mightily in the title game. The two teams traded points constantly. Just when it looked as if the ball was about to hit the ground or go out of balance, a player from either team would make the diving save.

The third game in the best-of-five series was the most thrilling. Winning 24-20, Central needed just one point to take a 2-1 advantage (the first squad to reach 25 points and be ahead by at least two points wins the match). Masterman players fought back with five unanswered points to take a one-point lead. But Central wouldn’t let go, and won 30-28.

Epelle and Jones are happy to have another chance next season, when they will be among five returning varsity players.

Epelle already is thinking strategy.

"We’ve got to keep our confidence up and not get nervous at all," she said. "If we mess up, we’ve got to forget about it and shake it off."

Jones has an early warning for Masterman’s rival.

"We’ll be ready, especially for Central," she said. "Congratulations to them, but we are going to wreak havoc."

And if they do, the friends will have a new reason to celebrate.