GREENSBORO, N.C. — Averett University volleyball held off Greensboro College 3-2 in USA South Conference action Thursday night. The Cougars, winners of five in a row, topped the Pride 25-17, 24-26, 25-23, 19-25 and 15-9 in their first conference road match of the season.

Averett (13-7, 5-0 USA South) cruised to an opening set win after pulling away from Greensboro (5-12, 2-5 USA South) midway through. The Cougars looked as though they would do the same in Set 2, jumping in front 22-16. The Cougars weathered several Greensboro points to get to set point at 24-20 on to have the Pride rally for six consecutive points to steal the frame 26-24.

That comeback fueled Greensboro in the third set, but Averett inched out the win by taking the final five points to go up 2-1 overall in the match. Although the Cougars grabbed some momentum back, Greensboro didn't go away in the fourth game. Tied at 18-18, the Pride put Averett away by scoring seven of the next eight points and forced the deciding fifth set.

Knotted at 5-5, Averett eventually began to pull away. Senior Lindsey Boles had back-to-back service aces, and kills by sophomore Sarah Smoot and senior Leslie Fulton helped the Cougars take a 14-7 advantage. Although Greensboro won the next two points, Boles got the game-winning kill to finally clinch the conference victory over the Pride in front of a packed crowd.

Sophomore Hannah Shields led Averett's attach with 24 kills and 15 digs. Smoot had 10 kills, while Fulton and sophomore Jessica Sheek finished with eight kills. Sophomore Christiana Summa totaled 13 digs, with Boles chipping in nine digs. Freshman Keenan Marks added 46 assists.

Averett returns to action on Saturday when the Cougars face William Peace University and N.C. Wesleyan College in a neutral site quad match hosted by Ferrum College.