CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The App State volleyball team battled back from an early deficit and outlasted host Charlotte in a five-set thriller Saturday evening at Halton Arena, earning a 3-2 victory with set scores of 23-25, 25-18, 23-25, 25-20, 15-13.

Charlotte opened the first match with the serve and controlled the early stages of the first set. 

The Mountaineers responded behind setter Raegan Richardson, who helped spark a run that erased Charlotte's lead and put App State in front. Bella Hutchens also made an immediate impact, recording six kills and an ace in the opening frame. Charlotte ultimately held off the Mountaineers to take the first set, 25-23.

App State came out with renewed energy in the second set, quickly establishing control and building a lead as large as eight points. The Mountaineers' attack found its rhythm, hitting .357 as a team in the frame while limiting Charlotte to a .037 hitting percentage. App State closed out the set, 25-18, to even the match.

Charlotte responded in the third set, building an early advantage as the two teams traded momentum throughout the frame. Delanie Grevengoed provided a strong presence at the net, contributing multiple blocks as the Mountaineers fought to stay within striking distance. Charlotte ultimately edged App State, 25-23, to take a 2-1 match lead.

The Mountaineers answered again in the fourth set, opening on a five-point run sparked by Richardson's serving and strong play at the net from Grevengoed and the App State blocking unit. App State maintained its advantage throughout the set, closing it out 25-20 to force a decisive fifth set.

The teams traded points early in the fifth before Charlotte successfully challenged a call at 5-5. App State responded by taking the lead and continued to battle through the final points. The Mountaineers held off the 49-dig Charlotte defense and finished the comeback with a 15-13 fifth-set victory.

Hutchens led the Mountaineers offensively and was named the match's player of the game after tallying 17 kills on a .353 hitting percentage. She added nine digs and an ace in the victory. Richardson recorded 30 assists, four aces and eight digs, while Chelsea Gilmore added seven solo blocks, three assisted blocks and three kills. Grevengoed finished with four blocks.

As a team, App State hit .248 and held advantages over Charlotte in kills (59-54), aces (10-4) and blocks (15-11).

The victory moves the Mountaineers to 1-1 on the season as they close play at the Charlotte Invitational Sunday at 11 a.m. against Bryant.

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