NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. -- The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth captured the final two sets to rally for a 3-2 victory over visiting Lesley University this evening in a non-conference volleyball match at the Tripp Athletic Center.

The Corsairs (7-17) honored their two seniors with their first five-set victory of the season, edging the Lynx 25-11, 18-25, 15-25, 25-10, and 15-7.

Senior Tahirah Gibson (Norwood, Mass.) powered the UMass Dartmouth attack with 10 kills and a 34.8 hitting percentage, while her classmate Kelly Lyons (Bourne, Mass.) registered an identical 34.8 hitting percentage with nine winners.  Freshman Christina Spinazola (Medway, Mass.) piloted the hosts' offense with 28 assists.  Sophomore Brianna Perry (New Bedford, Mass.) collected a match-high 18 digs, seven ahead of classmate Carina Filosa (Milford, Mass.).

Katrina Strognoff (Cedar Grove, N.J) produced a double-double--11 kills and 14 digs--to lead Lesley. Junior Danielle Johnson (Waterford, Conn.) handed out 13 helpers, while sophomore Danielle McDonald (Lilitz, Pa.) posted 17 digs.

Facing a 2-1 deficit, the Corsairs charged out of the gates in the fourth set with 13 of the first 15 points to take a commanding lead.  The visitors tried to stem the tide with a timeout trailing 18-7, but the hosts were determined to force the decisive fifth set.  Perry was the offensive catalyst in the fourth frame with four kills, while sophomore Jasmine Burris (New Bedford, Mass.) was just one winner off the pace.

In the final set, UMass Dartmouth continued to ride its momentum to an early 8-4 lead.  The Corsairs sealed their first victory in five matches by outscoring the Lynx 7-3 over the final 10  points of the match. 

UMass Dartmouth will return to action at 7 p.m. on Oct. 23, when the Corsairs host Johnson & Wales in a non-conference match. The Lynx will also be back on the court on Wednesday when they travel to Regis College for an New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) matchup at 7:00p.