SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Drury was pushed to a fifth set after winning the first two sets against William Jewell but recovered for 3-2 victory over the Cardinals on Friday night at the O'Reilly Family Event Center.

The win marked Drury's first win a five-set match this season. They had been 0-4 when going five. The Panthers improved to 12-5 and 6-2 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. William Jewell dropped to 9-9 and 3-5 in the GLVC.

William Jewell nearly completed the comeback as they took a 6-2 advantage to open the fifth set. The Panthers drew even at 8-8, but trailed again by two, 10-8, moments later. Drury then won seven of the next nine points to win the match.

"We called time-out when we were down 6-2 and with our record what was in five set, I wanted to slow it down and refocus the team," said Drury head coach Jenifer Bahner. "We just needed one ball to get us going and get us some energy. Tori Foster stepped up in that fifth set."

Foster, a sophomore from Munster, Indiana, had 14 kills and led the Panthers with four blocks. Emmalee Chrest added 15 kills while McKenna Poynter had 33 digs.

"We have struggling to finish in three," said Bahner. "For us, it's that ability to adjust to some of the changes the opposing team is making. With a lot of young kids, that's something they're still learning to do."

William Jewell's Mary Booton had 14 kills to lead the Cardinals.

Drury is home against on Saturday hosting Rockhurst. Game time is 3 p.m. at the O'Reilly Family Event Center.

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