WASHINGTON – The Gallaudet University women's volleyball team defeated Johns Hopkins University in a thrilling 3-2 match before a raucous Field House crowd on Thursday night. This is the first time Gallaudet has defeated Johns Hopkins since Sept. 10, 2004, and the victory is the first for Bison head coach Lynn Ray Boren over the Blue Jays, who had won the previously five matches against Gallaudet.

Johns Hopkins (6-6) came ready to play and was neck-and-neck with Gallaudet (9-4) the entire match but the Bison were able to keep their composure in a loud gym of 210 fans and won 26-24, 28-26, 24-26, 17-25, 15-12. This is the fourth time the Bison have played the Blue Jays to five sets in the series history (GU leads 11-8).

Senior outside hitter Lane Peters (Phoenix, Ariz.) and junior outside hitter Kali Frowick (Norfolk, Neb.) led the way for Gallaudet as they each recorded double-doubles with 16 kills and 14 digs and 13 kills and 22 digs, respectively. Freshman setter Tarja Lewis (Frederick, Md.) boosted the Bison's momentum as she tallied seven service aces, the most in the single match so far this season, and passed out 20 assists.

The Bison were the stronger team in the first two sets winning 26-24 and 28-26 but got too comfortable and allowed Johns Hopkins to win the next two sets 26-24 and 25-17. Outside hitter Caitlin Callihan anchored the Blue Jays with 24 kills off a game-high 69 attempts. JHU setter Mariel Metalios passed out a match high 40 assists. In the fifth set, the Bison took the lead early as sophomore Molly Perkins (Apple Valley, Minn.) served four consecutive points. Gallaudet held off the Blue Jays to win 15-12 as freshman middle hitter Giuletta Maucere (Frederick, Md.) slammed down the kill, assisted by Lewis, to clinch the victory.

Gallaudet will host its annual Worthington Classic this weekend and will begin the two-day tournament with a 2 p.m. match against North Park University tomorrow (Sept. 27).