FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- Fairmont State closed out Shepherd in a five-set thriller on Tuesday evening at Joe Retton Arena (24-26, 28-26, 25-23, 20-25, 15-7).
 
With the score tied at 19-19 late in the fourth set, Shepherd reeled-off seven of the next eight points from Fairmont State to force a fifth and deciding set.
 
The Falcons, however, made quick work of the Rams in set five, scoring the first five points of the set and opening up a 9-1 advantage. The Rams closed the margin to within four at 10-6, but another 4-0 run put the Falcons ahead 14-6.
 
Following a ball handling error to give the Rams their seventh point, senior Kayla Smith drove home the game-winning kills with an assist from Jessica Furda.
 
Mackenzie Harrison recorded 21 kills, 24 digs and six block assists in the victory to lead the Falcons. Breanna Blot also chipped in 15 kills and recorded an attacking percentage of .297 in the match while Julia Shemaitis recorded her sixth double-double of the season, finishing the match with 13 kills and 19 digs. Rebecca Feeney also reached double-figures for the Falcons, recording 10 kills and team-high nine block assists in the win.
 
In addition to Harrison and Shemaitis recorded double-digit digs, libero Megan Clerico chipped in 23 and Sydney McCoy added 13. Furda recorded 57 assists to help pace the FSU offensive attack.
 
Shepherd placed two players in double-figures, including Grace Simmons with 14 and Peyton Lindblad with 13. Kelsey Anderson recorded 29 digs from her libero position and Jessica Karcz recorded a team-high 25 assists.
 
Fairmont State will travel to West Liberty on Friday evening for a 7 p.m. match against the Hilltoppers of West Liberty.