(Crete, Neb.)- The Peru State volleyball team went toe-to-toe with Doane (Neb.) on the road Friday night, but the Bobcats came up just short in a five-set thriller, falling 3-2 (25-18, 25-14, 21-25, 25-27, 9-15).

The Bobcats came out strong, taking the opening two sets behind efficient offense and tough serving. Peru State hit .237 in the first and an impressive .364 in the second to build a 2-0 match lead. However, Doane battled back, edging Peru State in sets three and four before sealing the comeback in the deciding fifth frame.

Kennedy Miller led the Bobcat attack with 14 kills on a blistering .481 hitting percentage while adding four block assists. Eden Moore chipped in 12 kills and three blocks, while Addison Schneider was a force at the net with 10 kills and five total blocks. Alejandra Villareal and Kalolaine Pasikala each tallied 10 kills to balance the offense.

Setter Sami Chesley guided the attack with 33 assists and added 14 digs, while Alina Hoxha contributed 16 assists and three aces. Defensively, libero Braelyn Braithwaite anchored the back row with 14 digs, and Shealie Wiebers added 12.

Overall, the Bobcats finished with 66 kills, eight service aces, and 73 digs, while holding Doane to a nearly identical 62 kills.