GREENSBORO, N.C. — Averett University volleyball battled back from a two-set deficit to knock off rival Greensboro College 3-2 on Thursday night. After dropping the first two sets 25-20 and 25-22, the Cougars rallied to win the final three games 25-16, 25-16 and 15-8 to remain undefeated in USA South Conference play.

With the win, Averett (18-2, 7-0 USA South) tied its program record for the best start to a season through 20 matches.

Averett started slow, falling behind 9-3 in the opening set. Although the Cougars got within 15-14, Greensboro (8-7, 2-4 USA South) used a 6-1 run to help pull out the first-set victory. Averett got off to a better start in Set 2, taking an 8-5 advantage. Yet, the Pride rattled off nine points over an 11-play stretch to jump in front. Greensboro increased that lead to 22-14 and, despite a run by Averett which closed the gap to 24-22, the Pride finished it off to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the match.

Despite having their backs against the wall, the Cougars didn't flinch. Instead, they flourished. Helped by Greensboro errors early, Averett dominated the third set after racing to a 12-3 lead. That momentum carried over into Set 4 as Averett pounded Greensboro 10-3 at the start, including nine straight points. The Cougars pulled away for good midway through to win the frame 25-16 and force a deciding fifth set despite a crowd of more than 300 Greensboro fans in attendance.
 
Greensboro took the first two points of the fifth set, but Averett responded with five consecutive points to put the Cougars in front. Averett tacked onto its lead, going up 11-5 in the first-to-15-points set. Greensboro could only get as close as 13-8 the rest of the way before the Cougars finished off the Pride for the huge comeback victory on the road.

Senior Hannah Shields led the Averett attack with 24 kills to go with eight digs. Sophomore Brianna Williams added 11 kills, senior Sarah Smoot had nine kills and senior Lynsey Corriher finished with seven kills. Freshman McKenzie Miller led the team with 17 digs while making 17 assists. Junior Emily Stanley totaled 11 digs and a team-high five service aces and junior Keenan Marks had a team-best 27 assists and 10 digs.

Averett continues its regular season on Saturday when the Cougars travel to Rocky Mount, North Carolina, for a USA South tri-match with N.C. Wesleyan College and Pfeiffer University beginning at noon.