STEUBENVILLE, Ohio – The Bethany College women's volleyball team dropped a five-set match (17-25, 26-24, 15-25, 25-15, 15-7) Saturday to Franciscan University in Presidents' Athletic Conference action.  

Trailing by one midway through the opening set, Bethany scored 11 of 14 points to secure the first set. Bethany came out smoking in the second set with nine of the first 12 points. However, the Barons responded with a 16-2 spurt to even the match. 

Just like the second set, the Bison scored nine of the first 12 points. Unlike the second set, Bethany didn't let the foot off the gas in securing the victory. Roles were reversed in the fourth set as Franciscan raced out to the 9-4 lead in the fourth set. Bethany pulled to within two, but the Barons scored 12 of the next 14 points to force the winner-take-all fifth set.  

In the fifth set, the Barons opened the fifth set with nine of the first 11 points and never trailed in sealing the match.  

Junior Averie Braymer tallied a career-high 16 kills on 36 attempts with three solo blocks, while junior Adriana Gilliam finished with 12 kills on 54 attempts.  

Senior Talia Gallagher completed her 11 double-double of the season with 36 assists and 12 digs. Senior Anna Taylor led the team with 32 digs as two other players – juniors Andie Clark (16) and JaSona Belyeu (10) - also recorded double-figure digs.  

INSIDE THE BOX & NUMBERS 

• Bethany is now 2-5 in five-set matches and has lost four straight after leading 2-1 in the match.  

• The Bison has lost to Franciscan for the third time this season.  

• Freshman Ashton Thomas finished with two solo blocks and three block assists. She has recorded a block in 10 consecutive matches.  

• Taylor has 13 matches with at least 20 digs.  

• Gallagher has 10 matches with at least 30 assists.  

Bethany (7-15 overall, 0-4 PAC) hosts Waynesburg 7 p.m. Wednesday in PAC action. Bethany fell to the Yellow Jackets in four sets earlier this season.