MILWAUKEE – The MSOE women's volleyball team outlasted Caltech 25-23, 25-27, 20-25, 25-19, 15-12, to secure a split on the opening day of the MSOE Invitational Saturday at the Kern Center.

The Raiders (5-2) won the final two sets to come away with the win over the Beavers, improving to 3-1 this season in five-set matches. MSOE dropped its opener in four sets to UW-River Falls, 29-31, 25-18, 25-23, 25-23.

In match two, senior Hannah Pekarek led a balanced attack with 11 kills and 17 digs. She was one of seven different players with at least six kills on the night. Junior Allie Laurent directed to the offense to the tune of 48 assists to go with 19 digs.

Senior Julia Zeamer had an outstanding match, finishing with nine kills and nine blocks. She committed just one attacking error and hit .364. Meanwhile, she led the efforts on the block with three solo efforts. The team combined for a season-high 14 blocks, as junior Sarah Williams added four (two solo) and three other players posted two.

The Raiders took the opening set but the Beavers seemed to get some momentum, starting with an extra-points win in the second game before taking a 2-1 lead in the match by scoring six of the last seven points of the points of the third to break a 19-19 tie.

An eight-point run keyed MSOE getting on track in the fourth game to tie the match, then a four-point run gave the home team seized the lead at 12-9 in the decisive fifth frame. Caltech did battle back to tie the score but the Red & White then closed out the night with the final three points.

MSOE hit a season-best .184 in the match, including .316 in the fifth set. Meanwhile, Caltech hit .169.

The Raiders got the day off to a strong start, emerging victorious in a marathon opening set against UWRF, only to see the Falcons take the next three sets for the win.

Pekarek had 15 kills and 18 digs in the match. Senior Shelby Borchardt had 26 digs to lead the back line. Williams posted 10 kills and was one of three players with at least three blocks.

MSOE ended the match hitting .127 to River Falls' .104.

The MSOE Invitational continues Saturday with day two. The Raiders open the day at 10 a.m., taking on Maranatha.