HUNTSVILLE – Sam Houston outlasted HCU in five sets for a 3-2 win on Thursday night at Johnson Coliseum on the opening night of the Bearkat Classic.  

The Bearkats took back-to-back sets from the Huskies at the start of the match but dropped the third set 25-20 and fell 25-23 in the fourth, forcing a fifth set. The Kats rallied back to win it in the fifth set 15-8, snapping a 6-6 tie with a 9-2 run to close the night.   

Freshman Chloe Monson led the Kats with 22 kills, her third consecutive match with at least 20 kills. Lauren Malone and Chelsea Butler joined her in double figures with 16 and 10. Rachelle Reed led the team with four blocks. Avery Fowler picked up her sixth consecutive double-double with 12 digs and a season-high 43 assists, directing the Kats to a .258 attack percentage for the match.  

The Bearkats will continue the Bearkat Classic Friday night against Georgia State with first serve at 6:00 PM.