HAMMOND, Louisiana – The Huskies claimed the first and third but couldn't hold off conference leader SLU in five-set thriller at University Center (25-22, 21-25, 25-21, 17-25, 9-15).

HCU came out firing in the opening set. After falling the first point, the Huskies captured seven straight points capped off by an ace by Kaley Feris forcing an SLU early timeout at 7-1. The Lady Lions regrouped with a four-point run to get within two points at 7-5 before the Huskies tallied five of the next eight points starting with an Anna Gadway kill. At 12-9, HCU scored four straight points ending with a kill by Sara Arroyo. SLU got within three points at 18-15 off a four-point run before the Huskies cruised to a 25-21 opening set victory secured by a Lexie Temple' kill.

The Huskies grabbed an early, 4-2, lead in set two including back-to-back kills by Audrey Pearce before the Lady Lions came roaring back snagging a 9-8 lead off three straight kills by Kailin Newsome. HCU tied the set at 12-12 before a 7-1 run by SLU to take a six-point lead. The Huskies got within three points at 23-20 off three kills by Arroyo but couldn't hold off the Lady Lions taking the set, 25-21.

In set three, the Huskies tied the game at 4-4 with a kill by Pearce before the Lady Lions rallied off six straight points thanks to four kills by Cicily Hidalgo. After back-and-forth runs by each team, the Huskies got within one point at 17-16 off a three-point run bookended with kills by Pearce. SLU claimed three of the next four points before the Huskies rallied six straight points to take a 23-20 lead. The Huskies would hold off the Lady Lions to take a 25-21 set three victory.

With their backs against the wall, SLU responded in the fourth set grabbing an early, 6-1, lead before the Husking came roaring back to tie the set at 8-8. The Lady Lions scored six of the next eight points to reclaim a four-point lead at 14-10. SLU gained control of the set at 20-13 and cruise to a 25-17 set victory.

In the decisive fifth set, the Huskies captured the first three points and forced a timeout by the Lady Lions at 7-3 off three straight kills by Arroyo, Cassidy Drapela, and Gadway. SLU tied the set at 7-7 off back-to-back kills by Newsome to force a timeout by head coach Trent Herman. The Lady Lions would rally six straight points to claim a 13-7 lead and close out the Huskies with a 15-9 set victory.

The Huskies were led by Arroyo tying her season-high with 19 kills. Gadway also tied her season-high with 12 kills while Pearce added 13 kills and five blocks. Grace McLaughlin secured her seventh double-double of the year dishing out 48 assists along with a season-high 21 digs. Alexia Jones led the Huskies back-line with 18 digs while Feris added 16 digs.

SLU was led by Rachel Hartmann with 24 kills and 20 digs. Kailin Newsome recorded 15 kills and 11 digs while Gracie Duplechein dished out 46 assists along with 17 digs. Ansley Tullis led the Lady Lions defensively with 23 digs.

The Huskies will continue conference play matching up against New Orleans on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Human Performance Center in the Big Easy.

Live broadcast available on ESPN+!