SIOUX FALLS, SD — Pushed to the brink of elimination, the Angelo State University volleyball team rallied for a five-set win Thursday over Gannon in the NCAA Division II national quarterfinals.
After dropping the second and third sets, ASU came back to win 28-26, 15-25, 17-25, 25-19, 15-6 to advance to the national semifinals for the first time in program history.
It was the 20th consecutive win for the Belles, who improved to 32-2.
Gannon's season ended with a record of 26-8.
No. 3-seeded ASU will play the winner of No. 2 Central Oklahoma and No. 7 San Francisco State at 4 p.m. Friday for the right to play in the national final.
ASU was led by Adeline Ortman, who dished out 55 assists. Evelyn Torres had 22 kills, followed by Demi Carter with 16 and Madi Parrish with 15.
Caleigh Enax led the defense with 24 digs. Ireland Ferguson added 17.
This is ASU's second appearance at the national tournament and its first since 2016, when the Belles lost to Alaska-Anchorage in the national quarterfinals.
Thursday was only the fifth time ASU had a match reach a fifth set this season. The Belles are 4-1 in those matches, with the only loss coming on the first day of the season against Central Oklahoma, ASU's potential opponent in the next round.
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