After five grueling sets the women’s volleyball team was able to edge out a victory over Lee University on Thursday in the final match of pool play at the NAIA Volleyball National Championships. The Eagles swept through their pool winning all three matches, capped off by the 25-18, 22-25, 25-18, 15-25, 17-15 over Lee.

Biola dominated the first set from start to finish, holding a convincing lead after opening on a 5-1 run.

In the second set, the Flames continuously fought against the Eagles’ lead, capitalized by an 8-3 run towards the end of the set to make it 20-19 Lee. The two squads traded points before the Flames pulled ahead for the victory.

The third set remained close and was tied at 14 all until Biola went on a 9-2 run to pull ahead for good and take the set.

With the Eagles needing one more set to take the match, Lee came out swinging, opening on a 13-3 run and they never looked back. The Flames dominated the set from start to finish to force a fifth and final set.

In the winner-take-all fifth set, both teams exchanged blow after blow until they were tied at 15 a piece. Junior middle blocker Chelsea Arnitz put home a ball from junior Gracee Gallarda to make it 16-15 Biola and then senior outside hitter Christine Douglas took her own ball from Gallarda and finished the match for the Eagles with a kill.

Douglas and Arnitz led the way for Biola with 16 and 15 kills respectively while sophomore middle blocker Amy Weststeyn picked up 12 kills and nine blocks herself.

The Eagles will continue play in the quarterfinals beginning on Friday.