DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University volleyball head coach Danny Miller picked up his 550th career victory in dramatic fashion as Averett went the distance in a 3-2 victory over William Peace University on Friday night at the Grant Center.

Averett (19-7, 11-0 USA South) defeated William Peace (18-7, 9-4 USA South) by scores of 25-19, 8-25, 25-21, 21-25, 15-11, to remain unbeaten on the season in the USA South.

William Peace got out to hot start in the fifth set, taking a 6-1 lead on a kill from Laura Bland. However, Averett caught fire from there, rattling off nine of the set's next 11 points to take a two-point advantage on a kill from junior Hayden Rigsbee. The Pacers were not ready to quit and scored a pair of consecutive points to level the score at 10-10.  Averett pulled back ahead by two on an attack error by the Pacers' Mya Parks and a kill from junior Hannah Shields. From there, the Cougars went on a 4-1 run to ice the game.

Averett staged a late comeback in the fourth set to almost end the night for William Peace. The Cougars found themselves facing a six-point deficit, but they clawed their way out to get within two at 23-21 on a kill from senior Brittany Daley. However, the Pacers picked up the last two points of the set to force the decisive fifth game.

Shields finished with a double-double of 29 kills and 15 digs to pace the Cougars. Freshman Brianna Williams and junior Sarah Smoot each recorded 10 kills to help Averett to the victory. Sophomore Keenan Marks recorded 54 of the Cougars' 58 assists on the evening.

Defensively, Averett was paced junior Christiana Summa, who picked up 18 digs. Sophomore Emily Stanley chipped in with 17 digs, while Shields added 15.  Marks added 12 digs, while sophomore Kaleigh Steelman finished in double-digits with 10.

Averett returns to action on Oct. 20 when it travels to Rocky Mount, North Carolina, to take on N.C. Wesleyan College at 7 p.m. in conference action.