WALTHAM, Mass. – The Falcons' first five-set match of the season ended in their favor when the Bentley volleyball team outlasted Mercy, 3-2 (25-21, 25-20, 20-25, 22-25, 15-9), Tuesday night. Bentley's win streak increased to eight matches.

Three Falcons (12-4, 2-0 NE10) finished with double-digit kills. Lulu Pavan led the way with 13 kills, Elizabeth Blinn had 12, and Sophia Poehlein added 10. Tory Vitko totaled 40 assists, marking the fifth time this season that she has tallied at least 40. Vitko added a season-high five blocks, and Blinn added five, as well.

After winning the first two sets against the Mustangs (7-3, 2-0 ECC), Mercy stormed back to force a decisive fifth set. The Falcons were in a 6-3 deficit, but a kill by Blinn sparked a 6-0 run for Bentley. Blinn put away three kills during the run.

Mercy caught its breath by recording the next two points, cutting Bentley's lead to 9-8. However, the Mustangs suffered three errors during a 4-0 Bentley run that pushed the lead to 13-8.   

A kill by Pavan, followed by a service ace from Lauren Hallas, sealed the match.

The Falcons are on the road this weekend when they take on Adelphi Saturday, Oct. 11, at 1 p.m.