Box Score
HASTINGS, Neb. -- In a battle between a pair of nationally-ranked opponents, the Nebraska Wesleyan University volleyball team remained undefeated on the year with a thrilling 3-2 victory at Hastings College on Tuesday night in GPAC volleyball.

NWU, which entered the AVCA/DIII rankings at No. 21 on Tuesday, won the match in scores of 19-25, 25-18, 22-25, 26-24, 16-14 over the Broncos who moved up to No. 16 in the NAIA Top 25.

With the match tied at 14-14 in the deciding fifth set, Katelyn Walsh got a kill for the Prairie Wolves giving them a one point advantage then a Hastings attack error sealed the victory.

Things looked bleak for NWU early as the Broncos used their home court advantage to easily take the first 25-19.  The Broncos went on a 5-1 run in the middle of the set and never led the Prairie Wolves back into the set.

In set two, NWU jumped out quick Walsh got two straight kills to put the Prairie Wolves up 6-1.  A kill later in the set from Alyssa Stanek made the score 18-9 and NWU would cruise the rest of the way.

The final three sets would all be very competitive.  Hastings led 14-9 in set three, before NWU climbed all the way back to 22-21 on an error by the Broncos.  A key block at the net gave the Broncos a two-point advantage and they held on for the 25-22 win.

NWU looked to be in control of the fourth set as they led 20-12 after a kill by Alexa Rosenau.  Hastings then mounted a fierce comback and eventually tied the set at 24-24.  Walsh came through once again to put NWU up 25-24 and a hitting error gave the Prairie Wolves the set.

The two teams traded punches to start the fifth set, before NWU got ahead 13-9 on a service ace by Mackenzie Ashton.  The Broncos scored three straight points to make the score 13-12 before Walsh got a kill to make it 14-12.  She would add another kill and the Bronco error to end the match sent NWU to the bus with an undefeated record.

Katelyn Walsh was the statistical leader for the Prairie Wolves with 21 kills and a .386 hitting percentage.  Bridget Bucher added 12 kills in the match.  Alexa Rosenau dished out 32 assists, with Mackenzie Ashton leading the way with 16 digs.

Hastings was led by Katie Zoucha with 27 kills.

NWU will now have over one week off before returning home to face another nationally-ranked opponent Midland University on Sept. 24.