The Winfield-Mount Union Wolves responded to being on the brink and rallied for their biggest win of the volleyball season by taking down the WACO Warriors in a five-set thriller last night. WACO jumped out in front behind senior outside hitter Ellah Kissell and star senior setter Grace Coble, taking the first two sets 25-16 and 25-10 on their home floor. Winfield-Mount Union edged out the Warriors 25-20 in the third set to stay alive, and the Wolves found their groove from there. After cruising to a 25-11 win in the fourth set, WMU pulled away to win the decisive fifth set 15-5.

Senior outside hitter Melina Oepping was one of the Wolves’ impact players with 15 kills and a team-high 24 digs. She also finished with two blocks, same as senior middle hitter Bradie Buffington, who had a team-high 21 kills. Junior middle Lily Freeman provided a nice spark off the bench with a pair of kills and four blocks, while senior libero Keetyn Townsley dominated the back row with 23 digs and seven aces.

WMU continues their dominance in this conference rivalry, winning their 18th straight against WACO. The loss breaks up a four-match winning streak for the Warriors, who fall to 20-4. It also ends their unbeaten start to conference play, meaning that the Wolves are now all alone in first place at 6-0 in the Super Conference North division. Winfield-Mount Union improves to 20-9 and will return to play tomorrow night at Pekin, while WACO faces Columbus tomorrow evening.