GLEN ELLYN, Ill. – The match between the Harper College women's volleyball team and host College of DuPage turned out to be an exciting one that came down to the first set. The Hawks (26-11, 7-2 N4C) took the decisive fifth set, 15-9, to win the match, 26-24, 25-16, 22-25, 24-26, 15-9.

Harper trailed 4-0 in the early part of the first set but battled back to close the gap to 6-5. The Hawks took a 14-12 lead behind Hannah Moore (/Schaumburg)'s serves before extending it to 19-14. However, the Chaparrals (9-8, 5-5 N4C) tied the score at 20-20 and 21-21. Tied at 24-24, Harper scored the final two points to take a 1-0 lead in the match.

The two teams were evenly matched in the early parts of the second set and were even at 14-14. The Hawks closed on an 11-2 run to win the set, 25-16, and grab a 2-0 lead.

Another close third set ensued. The two teams were tied at 14-14 before Harper pulled ahead to 22-20. However, DuPage won the last five points to win the set 25-22 and keep the match alive.

The hosts continued their excellent play in the fourth set and prevailed narrowly, 26-24, over Harper to force a fifth set.

The Hawks trailed 5-2 in the fifth set but came back to tie it at 6-6 and 8-8. Behind some crucial serving from Katelyn Sommers (/Buffalo Grove), Harper took a commanding lead before winning 15-9.

Harper's Adriana Loiacono (Bartlett, Ill./South Elgin) put down a season-high 15 kills in the win, and Sarah Berggren (Barrington, Ill./Barrington) tied a season-high with 15 kills of her own. Sommers put up a double-double of 20 digs and 45 assists in the match. Libero Meghan Chartier (Inverness, Ill./Buffalo Grove) played strong defense and totaled 30 digs, the third consecutive match she's had exactly 30 digs.

"This was a close, fun, and exciting match," said Harper head coach Bob Vilsoet. "College of DuPage has improved tremendously and had a lot of fan support in the gym."

The Hawks return to the court on Thursday evening at home against No. 4 Rock Valley College (23-6, 8-1 N4C). First serve is slated for 6 PM inside the Wellness & Sports Center.