Garden City, N.Y. - In thrilling fashion, the Adelphi University volleyball team staved off defeat to secure a five-set victory against Molloy University on Thursday evening, inside the Center for Recreation and Sports. 

The cross-town rivalry remains a classic, as Thursday's result marks the fourth five-set contest in the last five meetings between the Panthers and Lions. 

After Molloy (12-6) took the opener by a narrow two-points, the home team came back in the next two frames to take an advantage in the match. With an identical score to the first set, the Lions forced a fifth frame, for a winner take all result. 

With their backs against the wall, Macarty McQueen stepped to the service line as Molloy managed match point at 14-12. Madeleine Chaapel landed a kill that brought the hosts within one of Molloy, but it was Mackenzie Casey's solo block that put Adelphi back in the game at 14-all. 

With McQueen still at the service line, the Panthers controlled the offensive set as an out-of-system ball found Elena Covic, who blasted it near the 10-foot line, catching a Lion defender off guard. Riding a four-point swing, McQueen sealed the match with a serve that dropped between a pair of Molloy players, securing a decisive 16–14 win for Adelphi.

McQueen finished with a team-high 23 kills with an impressive .447 hitting percentage to boot. Chaapel also finished with double-digit kills, accounting for 14. Pacing the offense in the victory was Ana Carolina Westerich, who had 40, alongside a team-best five service aces. Autumn Moore was responsible for 22 digs and added seven assists. 

The Panthers are back in their home gym when they welcome Saint Anselm College - and Adelphi volleyball alumni - into the Center for Recreation and Sports on Saturday, Oct. 18. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m.