SPRINGFIELD, IL --- The Prairie Stars (6-4, 1-1) survived a five-set victory in thrilling fashion over Great Lakes Valley Conference foe, Quincy University (1-9, 0-2). The Prairie Stars won the match (27-25, 28-26, 22-25, 22-25, 15-10), taking the first two sets in extra time, before dropping the next two, scoring 22 points in each the third and the fourth set. UIS jumped out to a huge lead in the fifth set and carried the momentum to a 15-10 victory, to even their record in the GLVC.

"Obviously we started out really hot, winning the first two sets, but kind of hit a lull before coming out and taking control of the fifth set," said senior setter Lexi Hall.

Jailyn Borum, a sophomore from Sterling, Illinois, was everywhere for the Prairie Stars, posting career-highs in kills (19), assists (5), and digs (26), while matching her career-high in block assists (2). The outside hitter attacked 61 times on the match, totaling 19 kills, leading all players in the match. The 26 digs was second only to Ally Vicsik, who totaled 34, setting a career-best for the senior.

In what was a back-and-forth match throughout its entirety, the Prairie Stars and Hawks were tied at 20 in the first set --- which would become a theme --- before Quincy capitalized on two UIS errors to take a 22-20 lead. The Prairie Stars responded with consecutive points to tie the score at 22 and then scored two of the next three points to get their first match point. Quincy fended off that set point and then again at 25-24, but UIS came through, and ended the first set on a kill from Borum, her sixth of the set.

It was much of the same in the second set, as both teams were again tied at 20, but this time, it was the Prairie Stars who fended off two set points after trailing 24-22. Tied at 26, UIS got back-to-back kills from Borum to close out the set and take a 2-0 lead on the Hawks.

The third set, as were the first two, became tied at 20 but after UIS took a 22-21 lead, Quincy rattled off four straight points to take the third set and extend the match.

The fourth set was the lone set that wasn't tied at 20, but UIS trailed 22-21 and had the serve, but couldn't close out the match, as the Hawks took three of the final four points to tie the match at two sets apiece.

In the decisive fifth set, the Prairie Stars got down 2-0, but rattled off six consecutive points and 11 of the next 12 to take control 11-3. From there, the Prairie Stars cruised to victory, ending the match on, of course, a kill from Borum.

"It's just a momentum changer, taking the first two sets like we did," added Hall. "We knew we just needed one more, and we wanted to come out and dominate and make a statement. We wanted to come out strong in the fifth set and we are fighting for every point and wanting to dominate."

The Prairie Stars also got big performances from Alyssa Hasler, who totaled 14 kills against just two errors on an attack percentage of .324. Alli Splitt had 13 kills while Taylor Bauer added 11.

Tiffany Wentworth added 19 assists to Hall's 34 while also picking up 15 digs. Vicsik totaled seven assists with her 34 digs and Kenzie Hendon had 15 digs and three aces.

"My middles really came through and Jailyn had an amazing game. They had a great block tonight so for our hitters to be constantly hitting around and through blocks, that was the game-changer. Our middles and Jailyn really came through tonight."

WHAT'S NEXT
The Prairie Stars will head on the road for three straight matches, taking on non-conference opponent and NAIA powerhouse, Missouri Baptist on Tuesday night at 7:00 PM. Following that match, UIS will head to William Jewell before taking on #25 Rockhurst.

PRAIRIE STAR NOTES: UIS is now 4-6 all-time against Quincy, but have won three of the last five meetings … The last three matches between these two teams have gone to five sets … Ally Vicsik had a career-high in digs (34) … Borum had career-highs in five categories: kills (19), attacks (61), assists (5), digs (26), and blocks (2) … Lexi Hall had 34 assists, tying the second most in a single-game for the senior setter.