BETHANY - The Southern Nazarene went toe-to-toe with Heartland Conference power Arkansas-Fort Smith as the two squads battled to a fifth set, but ultimately it was the Lions who escaped The Sawyer Center with a victory on Tuesday evening, winning a thriller in five sets, 23-25, 25-15, 23-25, 25-20, 15-12.

SNU finished with 69 kills to 63 by UAFS, but 33 errors by the Storm to only 17 by the Lions proved to be the difference in the contest. UAFS had a slight advantage in blocks, 8-7, while SNU had the advantage in aces, 5-4, assists, 62-57, and digs, 92-89.

It was a breathtaking first set as both sides came out swinging with hard hitting attacks and incredible digs. SNU was able to build up a mini 12-8 lead, but the Lions roared back to even things up at 14. The two teams traded blows back-and-forth with UAFS taking a 22-21 lead late in the set.

The Crimson Storm responded with kills from junior Bailee Turang and senior Makenna Hunter, followed by a service ace by junior Kylie Smith to lead 24-22. One point later, Turang gave SNU the 1-0 lead with her eighth kill of the set as the Storm had 20 kills in the first set alone.

After a quick 5-2 lead from SNU in set two, the Lions came out and controlled the remainder of set two, determined to even the match back up. The match would be even at 12 a piece before UAFS went on a tear, outscoring the Storm 13-3 throughout the rest of the set, forcing SNU into 10 errors, and evening the match at one a piece.

The Crimson Storm had an 8-6 lead early in set three, but UAFS rattled off six straight points to take a 12-8 lead, looking as if they were taking control of the match. However, this time, it was the Storm that surged ahead, rallying for four straight point to even the match before another four point rally pushed them ahead 16-13.

SNU would get their lead out to 22-19 before the Lions came back with a four point rally of their own to take a 23-22 lead. SNU remained composed and used great defense as they forced UAFS into three straight errors to take the set, 25-23, and take a 2-1 lead.

Set four would be all Lions early on, racing out to a 7-2 lead. SNU fought to get within three and made a move midway through the set, scoring four straight points behind kills from Turang, Hunter, and sophomore Meagan Ellis to even the set at 16. However, UAFS scored five of the next six points and eventually closed the set out, 25-20, evening the match at two all and forcing a deciding fifth set.

It was as even as could be in the first half of the final set with UAFS holding a slim 8-7 lead as the teams switched sides. With the match even at eight, the Lions caught fire, scoring the next four points to lead 12-8. SNU would respond with three straight points of their own to get within one. However, on this night and in this set, the Lions attack was a little too much as they scored the final two points to win the set and the match, 15-12.

Turang had a huge match, going for 29 kills while hitting .225 while Ellis added 14 kills. Thomas picked up 11 kills while hitting .391 while Hunter added eight kills on the night. Smith was outstanding again in her setter role, going for 58 assists on the night as well as two service aces.

Defensively, freshman Logan Matthews was outstanding with 31 digs while Ellis tallied 20. Turang added 13 digs while Smith had 12 on the night. Thomas finished with four total blocks while Hunter had three and Ellis along with freshman Rachel Tichenor had two.

With the loss, SNU falls to 11-12 overall and lose only their second match on their home floor. They return to GAC play on Friday as they look to rebound, welcoming in Southern Arkansas for a huge conference match-up beginning at 4 PM