CONWAY, S.C. — In one of the more exciting matches of the 2001 season, the Charleston Southern University volleyball team outlasted a determined squad from Coastal Carolina, winning in five games - 24-30, 30-28, 30-28, 28-30, 15-12.

Charleston Southern (6-7, 3-2) received a monster performance from senior hitter Jennifer Monson, who finished the night with 44 kills. Senior setter Michelle Lewandowski recorded 64 assists, while senior hitter Tricia Wilson had 12 kills and 24 digs. However, it was freshman hitter Erin Wicker who provided the spark necessary to win the fifth and deciding game. Wicker, who finished with a season-high 13 kills, had four successive kills in the fifth game, upping CSU's lead from 9-8 to 13-10.

"Erin played very well," said CSU coach Danyel Bellush. "She came through big-time tonight. It's nice to see some of those younger players, the freshmen and sophomores, contributing more consistent play."

Coastal Carolina's great effort was led by junior outside hitter Katie Knutson, who recorded 20 kills, and freshman setter Sarah Besemer, who had 57 assists. Sophomore Carly Draudt added 16 kills, while Sarah Bennett added 13 kills and 24 digs.

Coastal Carolina set the early pace in game one, grabbing a slim three-point lead at 12-9. After CSU closed the gap to one at 21-20, Coastal moved out to a 25-22 lead and never trailed again in the first game.

The following three games were as close as the scores indicate as neither team was able to manage more than four-point lead in either of games two or three. In game two, Coastal opened up a 16-12 lead before CSU rallied to finally tie the game at 24. Coastal took a 27-26 lead before CSU closed out by scoring four of the game's final five points.

Game three played to within a point all the way past 20 before CSU opened up a 25-22 lead. Coastal cut the lead to one at 26-25 and later tied the game at 28 before the Lady Bucs won the final two points.

Coastal Carolina grabbed an early 10-6 lead in game four before CSU made a run to tie the game at 19 and then take a 23-22 lead. However, Coastal rallied on their own, taking a 26-23 lead and never trailed again in the game.

In the fifth and deciding game, Coastal scored the first two points but Charleston Southern rallied for an 8-4 lead. Four consecutive errors by CSU brought Coastal even at eight, but the Lady Bucs would not relinquish the lead down the stretch, sparked by Wicker's inspired play at the net.

"We needed a win badly and beating Coastal is a big win because it has been a while since we have beaten them," said Bellush. "I told the girls before that fifth game that we had worked too hard to lose this match in our own gym. I thought the team responded very well in the clutch, when it was on the line."