DUBUQUE, Iowa – Women's Volleyball hit the road for a nonconference clash Tuesday evening. They took on the Dubuque Spartans, ranked No. 19 in the latest AVCA Division III poll. The Spartans (14-3) started strong, but the Eagles (11-4) mounted an impressive comeback to force a fifth set. Dubuque emerged victorious in a dramatic 3-2 (25-20, 25-14, 17-25, 23-25, 15-13) battle.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- While the Eagles slowed down the host's offense early, the Spartans got back on track with a 5-2 rally to even the set 7-7. Dubuque trailed 12-10 when they took over the opening frame with a 12-2 burst to race towards a set one victory.
 
- An early 7-1 rally kept momentum going for the nationally-ranked Spartans as they claimed a 9-5 edge.  Edgewood University would trim the edge down to 12-9, but Dubuque raced off to the finish line, finishing the set on a 13-5 tear including six-straight points to put themselves in a commanding position.
 
- The Eagles would not go quietly into the night, storming ahead 10-3 as their offense and defense worked in tandem to turn the tide. A 6-2 burst in the middle of the set kept them rolling up 18-10. The squads would exchange small runs for the rest of the set, but the Spartans were unable to find their opening as Edgewood University kept the match going.
 
- A 4-1 run from Dubuque carved out a 5-3 edge early in the fourth frame. The Eagles rattled off four in a row to flip the script and claim a 11-9 advantage, including three straight kills. The Spartans slowed down Edgewood University for a 3-0 run and a 19-18 edge late, but a 4-1 stretch gave the Eagles a pivotal 22-20 lead late. They would send the match to a fifth set while trading points with the hosts.
 
- Edgewood University rolled ahead 9-2, but Dubuque rallied back on an 8-1 stretch to even things at 10 apiece. The Eagles clawed out a 13-12 gap with two kills in a row, but the Spartans offense had the final say with a kill and two aces finishing off the marathon match.
 
- Dubuque had a key edge in attack percentage, outhitting Edgewood University .181-to-.127. Both teams brought a stout defense, with the Spartans having slightly more digs than the Eagles 112-to-109.
 
- Nida Zukauskaite continued to perform well for Edgewood University, earning a 18-kill, 16-dig double-double.
 
- Shannon Rusch put together a strong showing on defense and offense with 28 digs and three aces.
 
- Abbey Eivins played key points for the Eagles with a 20-assist, 24-dig double-double.
 
- Laila Rasmussen paced the Eagles with 22 assists.
 
- Natalie Murphy swung for 11 kills. Payton Millin stepped up at the net with a team-high four blocks.
 
- Delainey Winkel proved to be key to the Dubuque win. She earned 19 kills, 20 digs, and a pair of aces.
 
- Chloe Reiser posted a 19-kill, 18-dig double-double. Alexis Kammerer led the match with 52 assists and Taylor Bechen 39 digs.
 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The 109 digs are tied for the 12th most in program history in a single match.
 
- Eivins became the seventh setter in program history to reach the 2,000 career assists milestone.
   
- Eivins 24 digs were a career best for the senior.
 
- Rusch's 28 digs set a new personal high.
 
UP NEXT
The Eagles will return home to the Todd Wehr Edgedome to continue NACC action Thursday. They will host the Concordia Chicago Cougars. First serve is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.