MIDWAY, Ky. -- After wrapping up a three-match road swing earlier in the week, the Midway women's volleyball team returned to Marshall Gymnasium on Friday (Oct. 21) when they hosted Point Park (Pa.) for a River States Conference matchup.

The Pioneers got off to a hot start winning the opening two sets to take a commanding 2-0 lead, but Midway battled back to win the third and fourth sets to force a winner-take-all fifth. Point Park got off to a strong start in the fifth set and never looked back en route to clinching the 3-2 victory (26-24, 25-23, 21-25, 14-25, 15-6).

With the win, Point Park improves to 17-5 overall and 11-0 in league play, while Midway drops to 13-4 overall and 8-4 in RSC play with the loss.

Midway had their chances in the opening two frames but were unable to make the plays down the stretch as Point Park took a 2-0 lead after recording a .228 hitting clip through the opening two frames.

The Eagles, however, didn't go away quietly as they finally got their offense back on track in the third set. Kills by Anju Sugiya (Tokyo, Japan) and Meghan Adams (Paducah, Ky.) helped spark a 5-1 run to close the third frame as Midway finally got on the board with the 25-21 win.

Jonea Rima's club then knotted the match at two sets apiece after dominating the fourth stanza. Midway recorded a .412 hitting mark before closing the set on an 11-3 run en route to the convincing 25-14 victory.

The fifth set, however, saw the Pioneers get off to a quick start. Holding a 4-3 edge, the visitors put the match on ice with a 10-1 run as they clinched the 3-2 victory with the 15-6 fifth set win.

Aubry Koester (Apple Valley, Calif.) led the offensive attack with 22 kills and a .293 hitting clip in her 58 swings. The sophomore also picked up eight digs and served three aces in the loss.

Anju Sugiya notched a double-double with 13 kills and 13 digs, while Brooke Trompler (Campton, Ky.) finished with 10 kills and 11 digs. Mariana Rodriguez (Houston, Texas), meanwhile, led the defensive effort with a match-best 29 digs.

Pilar Daugherty (Las Cruces, N.M.) dished out 36 assists and picked up five digs, while Valerie Ramos (San Juan, Puerto Rico) recorded 15 assists and nine digs in a losing effort.

The Eagles will have a quick turnaround as they host Carlow (Pa.) for Senior Day on Saturday (Oct. 22). First serve is set for 12 p.m. ET with Senior Day set to take place before the match.

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