SENATOBIA - In a match that contained all the excitement of a crucial regular season showdown, the Northwest volleyball team edged out a 3-2 victory in Friday's exhibition match against Rust College.

Though the match did not count toward either team's records, the intensity remained high on both sides throughout. Northwest took the opening set by a 25-23 score, before the Lady Bearcats responded with a dominant 25-13 win in the second set to tie the match. The Lady Rangers claimed the third set by a 25-23 margin, before Rust College took a 25-15 triumph in the fourth set, to force a winner-take-all fifth set.

Both teams remained neck and neck through the final set, with the Lady Bearcats earning a 6-5 edge. From there, Northwest rallied back for three straight points for an 8-6 advantage, before Rust College evened things up at 10-10.

After a Northwest timeout, the Lady Rangers pulled away from Rust College to take five of the last seven points to clinch the match.

Freshman Micah Swift made the most of her Northwest debut, leading with 12 kills and four blocks. Kaley Rikard also posted a solid outing in her first match, earning eight kills and 13 digs. Additionally, sophomore Kayla Beal totaled a team-high 20 blocks, followed by 16 from freshman Cristen Cleveland.

Northwest will open the 2022 regular season on Saturday, August 20 against Chattanooga State (1 P.M.) and Champion Christian College (5 P.M.). Both teams will also play a neutral-site match at 3 P.M. All games will be carried on Ranger TV.