Thrill Survive Five-Set Scare at Mojo

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The Vegas Thrill (3-5) picked up their third win of the season, holding off the San Diego Mojo (1-4) in five-sets (25-23, 25-20, 19-25, 27-29, 15-11) Thursday night, at Viejas Arena.

Vegas won the first frame in a tight 25-23 battle, then followed with a 25-20 victory in the second to take a 2-0 lead. San Diego responded with a 25-19 win in the third and a 29-27 victory in the fourth to force a winner-take-all fifth set. The Mojo had a 8-7 lead in the final frame, but the Thrill would win the set with a 8-3 run, securing a 15-11 victory in the fifth.

Vegas was led offensively by outside hitter Khat Bell’s 28 kills, which stands as the most kills in a single match by any league player. Outside hitter Gabby Gonzales recorded 10 kills, while middle blocker Berkeley Oblad and opposite hitter Saskia Hippe both had eight, respectively.

The Thrill had four players with double-figure digs. Libero Kylie Murr and Gonzales led the squad with a match-high 24 digs, respectively. Bell added on to her incredible night with 16 digs, while setter Alisha Glass Childress recorded 14 digs. Childress also dished out a team-high 57 assists.

Vegas tallied 11 blocks in the match, led by middle blocker Layne Van Buskirk’s five blocks, while Childress and Berkeley added two.

San Diego was led by outside hitter Lindsey Vander Weide’s 21 kills, 19 digs and one block. Opposite hitter Morgan Lewis collected 19 kills, 10 digs and one block. Outside hitter Valeria Papa gathered 18 kills, three digs and one assist. Setter Nootsara Tomkom had a match-high 64 assists.

NEXT FOR THE THRILL: Vegas will be back in action on Monday, Mar. 4 when the team returns home to take on the Atlanta Vibe. First serve is slated for 7 p.m. PST.