LAURINBURG, N.C. – St. Andrews took a 2-0 lead on the Shaw University women's volleyball team on Wednesday night, but the Lady Bears pushed to a fifth set before earning a 3-2 (15-25, 16-25, 25-23, 25-23, 22-20) win on the road in nonconference action. Shaw moves to 7-2 overall while St. Andrews drops to 4-4 on the season.

Junior Kelly Murphy (Mukwonago, WI) led the Lady Bears attackers and defenders with 15 kills and 24 digs on the night. She was backed up by junior Saraya Klink (Fuquay-Varina, NC) who chipped in nine kills and 10 digs while junior Keveesha Wattley (St. Croix, VI) added eight kills and two blocks. Setters sophomore Alexandra Masnica (Chicago, IL) junior Aliani Adelis (Laveen, AZ) combined for 49 total assists.

Defensively, senior Tiffany Brooks (Efland, NC) hauled in 24 digs, Adelis added 19 stops and Masnica wrapped up the double figures with 11 digs.

The first two sets had a similar theme to them as the early part was relatively close but missed opportunities to pull the ball away for Shaw resulted in victories for the Lady Knights. SAU scored seven unanswered points to take the 25-15 win in set one, followed by a 3-0 spurt in the second set for a 25-16 win.

Shaw took a 9-5 lead to start set three, SAU then notched nine-straight before an error by Kylie Winchell resulted in a point for the Lady Bears. Down by seven, Shaw managed to chart a 10-3 run to even the score at 23-23. An attack error by SAU and a kill from sophomore Tapanga Moten (New Orleans, LA).

The fourth set was a much tighter affair as the set tied three times with the last tie at 23-even. A kill by Murphy and an attack error by the Lady Knights gave Shaw the 25-23 set win heading into the fifth and final frame. With a four-point lead (12-8) by the Lady Bears, SAU closed the gap to pull within two as the lead changed several times, including five ties. Shaw scored three to seal the deal that featured a kills from Murphy, junior Jazmine Johnson-McCoy (Seattle, WA) and senior Deja Simpson (Orlando, FL).

Shaw will begin conference play when they participate in the 2017 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Round-Up in Winston-Salem, N.C. The Lady Bears will face Virginia Union (Sept. 16 at 12 p.m.), Lincoln (Pa.) at 6 p.m. and Chowan on Sept. 17 at 11 a.m.

For the most up-to-date information on Shaw volleyball and its 13 varsity sport teams, please visit www.shawbears.com.