Box Score PENSACOLA, Fla.-The Christian Brothers University Lady Bucs outlasted Alabama-Huntsville in five sets Friday afternoon in the first quarterfinal of the Gulf South Conference hosted by the University of West Florida.

The match was nip-and-tuck throughout, with all five sets decided by three points or less and a total of 38 ties and 11 lead changes across the sets. In the first set, the Lady Chargers (12-21) used an 8-1 run to take an 18-12 lead, but CVY (15-18) cut the deficit to one point at 21-20. UAH scored four of the last six points to win the set 25-22. In the second set it was the Lady Bucs who survived a late rally. CBU held a 23-20 edge but conceded the next two points as the lead dwindled to 23-22. The teams traded points for the final three serves, though, giving CBU a 25-23 win. In the third set, the Lady Bucs scred the final three points to win 25-22 after a 22-all tie.

The Lady Bucs had a chance to win the match in the fourth set, leading 22-20, but five straight points for UAH sent the match to a decisive fifth set. In the fifth set, UAH built a 5-3 edge, but CBU answered with 11 of the next 14 points to take a 14-8 edge. As they did throughout the match, however, UAH answered with four straight points to close within 14-12, but an Alexis Gillis (Corpus Christi, Texas/Carroll HS) kill, her 20th, gave the Lady Bucs a 15-12 win.

Gillis' 20 kills were a match-high to go with 19 digs. Alison Welch (Olive Branch, Miss./Olive Branch HS) added 13 kills and 14 digs, and Brinsley Cooper (Rossville, Ind./Rossville HS) had 13 kills and set a career high with nine blocks. Hannah Kurtz (Memphis, Tenn./St. Benedict HS) tacked on 10 kills. Sami Gruse (Lafayette, Ind./Central Catholic HS) dished out 51 assists with 13 digs. Brittany Toney (Rockledge, Fla./Rockledge HS) matched Gillis' team-high with 19 digs, and Jessica Reber (Byron, Ill./Byron HS) logged 16.

Olivia Bauman led UAH with 17 kills, and Rachel Brugman added 16. Ashton Baker notched a match-high 22 digs to go with 47 assists, followed by 19 digs from Stacey Sargent.

The Lady Bucs advance to the GSC semifinals tomorrow at noon. They will face the top-seeded hosts, No. 21 West Florida. The championship match is set for Sunday at noon.