ARKADELPHIA, Ark — The Henderson State Reddies (6-0) opened the Denton Volleyfest in style on Thursday night as they erased a 2-0 deficit to win a thrilling five set match over Pittsburg State (3-2).

The Reddies had dropped just one set through their first four matches of the season, but they were put to the test early by the Gorillas. Pitt began the match by winning the first set 25-20, pulling ahead late to take the first frame. The Reddies started off hot in the second set and seized a 7-2 lead, but Pitt State stormed back to win it 26-24 and put HSU in a 2-0 hole.

The third set proved to be the bounce back frame for the Reddies, as they captured a 25-20 victory to stay alive. That momentum carried into the fourth, where they found themselves in a close battle with the score tied at 24-24. The Reddies scored the final two points of the set behind a kill from Savannah Coats and a Gorillas' error. Henderson was led in the fourth by five kills from Coats and four from Christiane Uzoh.

In their first five-set match of the year, the Reddies battled Pitt State to a 9-9 tie through the first 18 points, but finished the last frame with a 6-2 run to complete the comeback and win by a final score of 15-11.

Uzoh turned in one of her best all-around performances of the season and totaled six blocks to go along with 19 kills. Larkin Luke added five blocks of her own and Kaylon Partain recorded a match-high 33 digs to spearhead the Reddies' defensive efforts. 

The Reddies return to action tomorrow against the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith at 11:30 a.m. in Denton, Texas.