RALEIGH, N.C. - The Meredith Avenging Angels held on for a 16-14 fifth-set win to claim a 3-2 victory in tonight's non-conference pairing with cross-town rival William Peace University.

The battle began early as Peace pushed to a 16-7 advantage. Two kills from MC freshman Jasmine Aguinaldo sparked a five-point run that would pressure the Pacer defense. Meredith chipped away at the host's lead and stepped in front on a kill from Anna Hayes, assisted by Clarke Glendenning. Two missteps from the Avenging Angels and a kill from match-leader Lauren Naugle sent the game into extra points before Aguinaldo stuffed an attack to secure the first set 26-24.

MC sat back on their heels to face a 5-0 deficit early in the second frame. Senior outside Cori Spade and freshman Emily Hendricks chimed in with a pair of kills to keep Meredith in the mix. But five unanswered points from the hosts gave PC a 16-8 advantage.

Sophomore Carla Lunday pitched two aces to ignite a Meredith run pulling the Avenging Angels within two at 16-14. The rivals would exchange moments of greatness during the next 20 plays before a pair of offensive miscues from Meredith tied the match at 1-1.

Avenging Angels coach Fiona Barkley challenged her team at the break and Meredith came out firing with a 15-7 hitting advantage.

Senior setter Kara Baughman dished out five assists to her frontline to take an early 7-1 lead in the third set. The hosts would come to within three on two service aces from Pacer libero Maddie Irvin before Glendenning placed an assist for Spade. The Meredith setter fired an ace to maintain control. Two blasts from senior middle Molly Markley drove the Avenging Angels to a 25-20 finish.

With a 2-1 match lead Meredith was poised for a fourth set win. But the emotions of this historic rivalry and a homecourt advantage kept Peace close.

After an even score of 4-4, the Avenging Angels climbed to a 22-18 advantage before four Pacer kills and three Meredith miscues pushed Peace to a 25-23 set win to tie the match 2-2.

The deciding set opened in similar fashion with the teams at an even 4-4 in the early moments. The Avenging Angels regained composure and enjoyed a 7-0 run on steady serving from Glendenning.

After two more kills from Markley and a stuff with partner Hendricks, Peace whistled for a timeout to interrupt the Meredith attack. Pacer Crystal Alston served her team back into the lead at 14-12 with two aces and four Naugle kills.

The Avenging Angels remained focused and ended the run on a kill from Hendricks. Lunday pitched three bullets to put her team back on top for the win.

Spade led her team with 15 kills and 29 digs. Hendricks tallied 13 kills and Markley posted nine adding four blocks in the win. Hitting .333 on the night, Aguinaldo chimed in with six assists and grabbed 27 digs in the effort.

Baughman dished out 24 assists with teammate Glendenning earning 20 combined with her four service aces on the night.

PC's Naugle led all offensive efforts with 21 kills in the loss and senior setter Brooke Norris tallied 49 assists.

The Avenging Angels travel Saturday to Staunton, Virginia, for a USA South tri-match with Piedmont and host Mary Baldwin beginning at Noon.