(Dover, Del.) – A deciding fifth set was needed to determine a winner Friday night at Memorial Hall, as the Delaware State volleyball team (3-24, 1-11 MEAC) pulled out a thrilling 3-2 (25-21, 22-25, 25-21, 21-25, 19-17) victory at home over the Hampton Pirates (3-22, 3-9 MEAC) in its final Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) contest of the season.

"I feel like we played really hard and we played to the end," said head coach Whitney Johnson.  "We were able to finish and capitalize on their mistakes."

With this win, the Hornets not only picked up their first victory since a 3-1 win over Quinnipiac on Sept. 5, but DSU avenged a 3-1 road loss last Friday at Hampton.

Trading sets throughout the evening, the fifth frame featured the Hornets facing game-point with the Pirates up 14-10.  Unfazed, DSU battled back by ripping off five unanswered points to take the lead, led by senior Jasmine Jackson tallying two of her team-high 26 kills.  The nail-biting contest continued, until DSU's Jae Jackson registered consecutive points by way of a kill and a service ace to give her squad the winning nod. 

"I think they all started believing in the end," added of Johnson of her team's comeback victory in the final set.  "Believing that what's in front of them is something they can accomplish."

At match's end, the Hornets finished with a .227 hitting percentage, whereas Jae Jackson (18) and junior Jenessa Helu (11) tallied double figure kills.  Also, turning in a stellar performance was freshman Marisol Arredondo with a game-high 60 assists, while sophomore Alliyah McBean added a game-high 21 digs.      

Coming up, the Columbia Blue & Red will look to close 2015 on a high note against Towson this Sunday at 1 p.m.  Earlier this season, Delaware State fell on the road to the Tigers on Aug. 30, 3-0.