RUTHERFORD, N.J. - - Trailing 2-0 in front of an opposing Homecoming crowd, the Wilmington University volleyball team dug deep and battled all the way back, defeating Felician, 3-2, on Saturday afternoon at Job Gym.

Set scores for the Wildcats were 23-25, 22-25, 25-18, 25-17, and 15-12.

The Wildcats (12-12, 6-5 CACC) hit .203 in the match with only 21 errors. They also collected 102 digs and nine total blocks, holding Felician (9-13, 7-4 CACC) to a .153 attack percentage.

Down in the first set, the Wildcats went on an 8-1 run to take a 19-18 lead. Back-to-back points gave the Wildcats a 23-22 lead, but the Golden Falcons scored the final three points to take the set, 25-23.

The Wildcats led, 18-15, in the second set before Felician used a 7-2 run to gain a 22-20 lead. Kills from Katie Bushong and Karalyn Osborne tied the set, 22-22, but then Felician again scored the final three point to take the set, 25-22.

The Wildcats jumped out to a large lead and never looked back in the third set, storming out to an 11-2 lead. Brice Hansen gave the Wildcats a 20-12 lead and then the teams traded points back and forth until Dorie Moore kept the Wildcats alive in the match with a kill, 25-18

Another good start propelled the Wildcats in the fourth set, as they got out to a 7-2 lead. Brice Hansen gave the Wildcats a 10-4 lead and then the teams traded points until the Wildcats score three straight to take a 23-15 lead. A service error sent the game to a fifth and deciding set, 25-17.

Felician got off to a strong start in the fifth set, taking the early lead. Tied 6-6, the Golden Falcons scored back-to-back points to make the turn leading 8-6. The Wildcats collected three consecutive points to take a 10-9 lead and the game was again tied, 11-11. An error and a Brice Hansen kill forced Felician into a timeout and then Elly Collins picked up an ace out of the break, as the Wildcats held match point, 14-11. Felician saved one match point before Brice Hansen completed the comeback with a kill, 15-12.

Brice Hansen led the Wildcats with 15 kills and 12 digs while Karalyn Osborne put down 11 kills by hitting .296. Shannen Litten had 10 kills and a team high five total blocks to lead the middles. Cailyn Smiley had nine kills and 22 digs while Dorie Moore also had nine kills. Katie Bushong dished out 45 assists and added 12 digs while Elly Collins led the team with 32 digs. Claudia Melendez chipped in with 14 digs as well.

The Wildcats return home for their next contest, as they host CACC South Division foe Georgian Court on Wednesday night. The first serve is set for 7:00 p.m. at the WU Athletics Complex.