DUBUQUE, Iowa – The University of Dubuque women's volleyball team took the floor on the final home American Rivers Conference series as they faced the Nebraska Wesleyan Prairiewolves (NWU). It was senior day for the trio of Julie May, Darby Hawtrey, and Kate Messino and they were looking to capture a home victory on Jon Davison court. The Spartans fell short early, but rally to win an epic five set match 3-2 (22-25, 18-25, 25-14, 25-12, 15-8).

In the first set neither team could separate themselves from one another. NWU would take a 15-12 lead before the Spartans would answer with a run of their own to take a 17-15 lead to force a NWU timeout. NWU would rally after the timeout and take the close set 25-22. The second set would start in favor of NWU as they jumped out to a quick 11-5 lead. The Spartans would get it as close as 10-11 before NWU would extend their lead to 17-13 to force a Spartan timeout. NWU would stay on the attack and finish off set two with a 25-18 victory. In set three, the Spartans were looking to avoid the sweep and would start out on top 7-3 before NWU would climb back to take a 11-10 lead to force the Spartans to take a timeout. The set would start to heat up with an intense back and forth battle for the lead before the Spartans would run away with the set 25-14 to force a fourth set.

The fourth set was all Spartans as they would take the set in dominating fashion 25-12 to force a winner take all fifth set. The Spartan faithful was all in as the fifth set would begin with an early 7-5 lead as NWU had to take a timeout. In the end, the comeback was complete as the Spartans would take the set 15-8.

The Spartans were led this afternoon by Emma Powell with 16 kills. Seniors Darby Hawtrey and Julie May added 12 and 11 respectively. Senior Kate Messino led the way with 43 assists.

UD will finish off the regular season with road match-ups at Luther College on October 26 at 7:30 p.m. and at Cornell College October 30 at 3:00 p.m.