Charlotte, NC - The Johnson & Wales Charlotte volleyball team battled Bluefield State in a five set thriller on Thursday night that saw the Big Blues prevail 3-2.

Bluefield State won the first set 25-18 behind four kills and three service aces from Allyson Martin. JWU responded in the second set, earning a 25-22 win as they forced BSU into as many hitting errors (11) as kills. The Wildcats continued their roll in the third set as this time they turned up the offense. JWU hit .367 in the set en route to a 25-21 win. The fourth set saw the Big Blues surge to a 19-11 lead as they appeared set to cruise to a win in the period. However, the Wildcats rallied to close to within three at 23-20 before BSU eventually won 25-21. The deciding set was close at the change of sides, with Bluefield State leading 8-7. The Big Blues took over from that point, winning 7 of the final 9 points of the match to close out the set at 15-9.

Aimee Evans led JWU with 14 kills, while Ahmarie Evans added 13 and Shayla Pope tallied 12. Logan Smith handed out 39 assists, and added 19 digs. Miakayla Seymour-Tucker had 33 digs on the evening, while Young recorded 23 digs of her own, and Chanel Garcia had 16.

The Wildcats take to the road on Saturday for a tri-match at Randolph against the host Wildcats and Shenandoah University.