HUGE FIFTH-SET COMEBACK PROPELLS AVILA TO WIN OVER BETHANY

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – In what was possibly the most intense match Avilla volleyball played all season, the Eagles took down Bethany in five sets at Mabee Fieldhouse on Friday night.

Avila took the opening set, 28-26. The first set was as close as they come, with the score tied an astounding 19 times.

With the teams tied at 26, a Bethany attack error paved the way for a Paige Huhman kill from Sophia Giorgio to give Avila back-to-back points and the opening set.

Bethany took the second set, 18-25, the only set not decided by two points on the evening.

The third set was back in Avila's control. Ten ties in the first half of the frame set up a 4-0 run by Avila to make it 17-13, thanks to back-to-back kills from Huhman and Makinley Scholl as well as a Giorgio service ace.

Two points went Bethany's way before another 4-0 run for Avila. The Eagles had a 21-15 lead until the Swedes went on an 8-2 run of their own for the 11^th tie of the set – at 23 apiece.

A kill by Maddie Jones was followed up by consecutive Bethany points, forcing a timeout by Avila head coach Marylyn Mozena.

The timeout proved worthwhile as two kills from Jones and an attack error from Bethany gave Avila the set, 27-25 and a 2-1 lead in the match.

Another back-and-forth fourth set went Bethany's way, 23-25, forcing a decisive fifth set.

Bethany took early control in the fifth and final set. With Avila down 8-3, Mozena called another timeout, hoping to stop the Swedes' run and bring energy back to the Eagles.

The teams alternated five of the next six points.

With Bethany leading 12-6, Avila turned to players it has relied on all season. Kills on three of the next four points by Jones, Huhman and Sydney Owens brought the Eagles to within four at 13-9.

A kill by Bethany's Ashlynn Gehring gave the Swedes match point, but that is when Mabee Fieldhouse came alive and brought life back into the Avila squad.

Avila rattled off what could be their best stretch of volleyball all season, ending the match on a 7-0 run, thanks to three kills, three attack errors and a service ace to secure the 16-14 fifth-set win and the 3-2 victory in the match.

The win gave Avila eight victories on the season, surpassing last season's win total as Mozena and her coaching staff continue to grow the program. The victory was Avila's second five-set win of the season, their highest total since the 2020-21 campaign.

Jones (25) and Huhman (18) each recorded season-highs in kills.

Lexi Schimpa's 55 assists were the most by an Avila player this season. Additionally, Schimpa's 23 digs were a season-high for her.

Also having a career day was Owens, who recorded season-highs in blocks, digs and kills.

The Eagles have a bit of a break before returning to the court next Friday, October 25, at Mabee Fieldhouse versus Tabor at 7 PM.

(photo credit: Issy Aguilar).