SIOUX CITY, Iowa- It was a matchup of two of the top volleyball teams in the NAIA and neither team disappointed as No. 9 Lee University fell to No. 4 Biola (Calif.) in five sets (18-25, 25-22, 18-25, 25-15, 15-17) Thursday evening. It was the final match of pool play at the NAIA National Tournament for both teams.

Lee survived four match points before finally being put away by  the Eagles, 17-15 in the final set. With the victory Biola wins Pool D and advances to the quarterfinal round of the single-elimination bracket tomorrow afternoon.

Lee finishes 2-1 in pool play and will also advance in the tournament. The Lady Flames will battle Hastings (Neb.) Friday morning at 11 a.m. in the First Round of the single-elimination bracket. Hastings played late into the night Thursday evening surviving two one-set tie breakers over Bellevue (27-25) and Embry Riddle (26-24) to advance out of Pool E.

Junior Irene Ojuwku was her usual steady self registering her second straight double-double. Ojukwu slammed home a match high 19 kills to go along with 13 digs and four blocks. Three other Lady Flames registered double-figure kills. Paula Martins had 12 slams while Nicole Sumida and Marija Zelenovic added 10 apeice.

Camil Martinez notched 45 assists to set up the Lee attack. Libero Libby Peigen provided the defensive punch, patroling the back line with 25 digs.

Biola was paced by Christine Douglas with 16 kills. Chelsee Arnitz added 15 kills and five digs and Gracee Gallarda finished with 53 assists for the California club.

With the loss the Lady Flames fall to 30-10 on the year.  The victory moves Biola to 30-4.