WISNER - It was nearly an identical script from a season ago, where the Wisner-Pilger Gators and Elkhorn Valley Falcons went five sets in an early season matchup. Except for the result, that is. This time, the Gators get the last laugh, earning the hard fought victory.

The Falcons came out hot in the opening set, taking a lead and never looking back. Freshman Kayton Werner denied four attacks, setting the tone early for Elkhorn Valley in the 25-12 set one victory.

Wisner-Pilger came out firing in the second set, jumping out to a 10-2 lead before the Falcons Emily Vaughn was forced to call a timeout. The Falcons rallied in the set, but were unable to comeback. The Gators evened up the match at 1-1 with the 25-17 win.

It was the same script in in the third set, with the Gators jumping out to a huge lead. Senior Emerson Bellar was key in the adjustments made by Wisner-Pilger, playing a huge role on the offensive end. Junior Jesa Montgomery was also a key attacker in the Gators hot start.

After taking a 2-1 lead, the Falcons kicked it into gear again, searching for Ashley Schutt on the offensive end. Cameron Rutjens was also a big part of the fourth set rally, which ended up in a 25-17 Falcons win.

In the fifth set, both squads fought punch for punch, resulting in a 6-6 tie. The Gators scored five straight points to take an 11-6 lead, which forced a Falcons timeout.

Out of the timeout, Kyndal Werner scored four huge points in a rally that gave the Falcons a 12-11 lead.

Wisner-Pilger remained unphased and fought back to match point, where Jesa Montgomery's attack got through the block of Werner and Ashley Schutt's attempt to dig the shot went out, giving the Gators the thrilling win.

Emerson Bellar finished with 14 kills, three aces and a pair of blocks on the night for Wisner-Pilger. Jesa Montgomery nabbed 9 kills, while Charli Jacobs ended with 6.

For the Falcons, Ashley Schutt had 8 kills, along with Cameron Rutjen's 8 and Kayton Werner's 6 kills and 6 blocks.

The Gators move to 5-5 with the win, while the Falcons falls to 5-6.