ROCK HILL, S.C. - The Allen University volleyball team played their third match in three nights but still had enough energy to pull out a five-set win on the road 3-2 over Clinton College on Thursday evening. 

Allen dominated the first two sets taking them 25-18 and 25-15 totaling 28 kills in the two sets. However, the Bears fought back to win a thrilling third set 27-25 outscoring the Jackets 5-1 after Allen led 24-22 to get the set win. Each team had nine kills apiece in the set.

Then, in the fourth set, a back and forth game ensued as neither team could get up by more than two points until Allen thought they had tied the set at 20 apiece with an ace from sophomore libero Jayla Neely. However, the referees ruled it to be an illegal substitution when Neely subbed in, as liberos are allowed to do, for an injured senior Marlaysia Westbrook, who was not able to serve. Then, instead of replaying the point, the referees took away Allen's point that they had earned and gave it inexplicably to Clinton. AU head coach Danielle Robinson protested the call but to no avail. Clinton went on then to take the set 25-19 and force the decider. 

In the final set, Allen got out to a strong 3-0 lead before Clinton rallied to lead 8-6 at the changeover. Clinton would then increase their advantage to 12-9. However back-to-back kills from freshman hitter Tahmiah Lawson and junior middle Taylor Lawrence made it 12-11. Another kill from Lawson and an error from Clinton tied the match at 13 apiece. After Clinton would serve at match point 14-13, Allen used back-to-back kills from Lawrence and sophomore hitter Maliyah Spencer to take a 15-14 lead. A Clinton error then clinched the win for the Yellow Jackets.

Allen improves to 3-1 on the season and drops Clinton to 0-3. AU was led by Spencer's 16 kills as she hit a team-best .394 to lead the team while Lawson also had a solid night with 14 kills, 2 aces, and a block while hitting .321. Also playing well offensively was Lawrence, as she finished with 7 kills and 3 blocks.
Right side hitters Cadence Leaks and freshman Mariah Bell combined for 6 kills while junior middle blocker Sydney Ross tallied 4 kills, 2 blocks, and 2 digs.

Senior setter Kayla Chambliss led the team in assists with 22 along with 3 kills, four digs, and an ace while fellow setter, junior captain Lillian Williams amassed 17 assists with an ace, a kill and 6 digs. Neely also had a big night as the libero leading the team with 17 digs and six aces along with four assists while senior OH Natalia Maciejewska recorded 14 digs with 2 kills and an ace.

Allen will next go on the road on Sunday afternoon to battle Albany State in SIAC action.