YORK, Neb. – The York University volleyball team earned a hard fought 3-2 victory over Friends University Saturday afternoon.

The Panthers are now 18-9 on the year, including 4-3 in league play.

Tied at 12-12, an error by Friends gave York a one-point edge in the first set. Kaylee Weigel hammered home a point before Florencia Felmer recorded a pair of aces. Up 18-14, Avery Schneider posted a point. York tallied the next two points, including one off the serve from Kensey Clifton. Moments later, Gabriella Lujan finished the set with a point at 25-21.

Down 7-6 in the second stanza, Kenna Tarnowski started a run off a pass from Clifton. Emma Kerley added a kill before Elena Brown served up an ace. Up 10-8, two errors by the visitors and an ace from Amanda Macias pushed the score to 13-8. Two plays later, another ace from Macias extended the advantage to seven, 15-8. Up 23-22, an attack error by Friends and an ace from Macias gave the Panthers the three-point win.

After dropping the next two sets, York jumped in front by a 7-4 score after back-to-back kills from Schneider in the fifth frame. Leading 8-7, Tarnowski and Liberty Baker posted points. Tied at 10-10, Baker garnered a kill, sparking a 5-0 spurt to end the match. Four straight miscues by Friends concluded the match.

Head coach Irick Gardner's team was led by Baker who slammed home 14 kills while Schneider added 13. Weigel chipped in eight in the win.

Mariah Janda dished out 21 assists while Clifton totaled 16. Macias served up four aces while Felmer accounted for three.

Defensively, Cassie Richardson reached double figures with 11 digs.

The Panthers return to action Wednesday, Oct. 23, when they play at McPherson College at 7 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at Yorkpanthers.com.