Sioux City, Iowa (VCSUVikings.com)  The Valley City State volleyball team took down No. 15 Morningside University in a five-set thriller on the road Friday night. The Vikings erased a 14-11 deficit to finish the final set 17-15 on back-to-back kills from Danielle Hagler to capture the victory.

VCSU defeated Morningside 25-12, 18-25, 25-23, 16-25 and 17-15. The Vikings improve to 8-4 on the season and Morningside drops to 12-5 overall.

VCSU held the advantage throughout the match, winning the first and third sets and forcing the Mustangs to respond. Morningside answered each time and built up an 11-8 lead in the fifth set. This time it was VCSU’s time to respond, and Macy Fridgen helped spark three straight points for the Vikings to tie the set at 11-all.

Then, Morningside scored three straight points including two Claire Wilson kills to hold a 14-11 advantage. The Vikings held off Morningside’s match point opportunities with three straight Fridgen kills to tie the set at 14-14. The teams traded points before Danielle Hagler’s back-to-back kills finished the final set 17-15 in favor of the Vikings.

The Mustangs outplayed the Vikings in all major stat categories including kills, assists, aces, digs and blocks, but VCSU pulled off the win with its dynamic strategy.

Four Vikings recorded double figure digs to help stave off the Mustangs. Sadie Hansen led VCSU with 38 assists and 15 digs while Hagler, Delani Clarke and Ellie Rush added 13 digs apiece.

Morgan Freije led VCSU with 14 kills and six assisted blocks on the night. Fridgen added 13 kills while Hagler totaled nine kills and four assisted blocks. Emma Lucas chipped in eight kills and Morgan Nelson had a hand in five blocks for the Vikings.

UP NEXT: (RV) VCSU takes on Dickinson State to open conference play Wednesday, Sept. 18. First serve is at 7 p.m. in Graichen Gym.