EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE forced a fifth set with a 33-31 triumph in the fourth set but dropped the match Friday to Green Bay in the opening match of the SIUE Tournament Presented by DoubleTree Collinsville.

Green Bay improved to 4-0 in its first match of the season that wasn't a three-set sweep. The Cougars, 1-3, ended Green Bay's streak of nine straight set victories to start the season. The Phoenix were victorious 23-25, 25-23, 25-22, 31-33, 15-10.

"We are really steady and playing at a high level with 12 players deep," said SIUE Head Coach Leah Johnson. "We're at a great place at the fourth match of the year – to be competing with a team that came in here 3-0 and was hitting better than .300 as a team."

 The Phoenix finished the match hitting .184 against the Cougars.

SIUE freshman Dylynn Otte posted a double-double with a career-best 17 kills and 14 digs while hitting .220. Ashley Witt led all players with 23 kills. Otte and Witt combined for 11 kills in the fourth set.

"We're in a really good place. Our defense was good. Katie Shashack had an amazing match," said Johnson. Shashack led all players with 29 digs.

Green Bay finished the match with 10 less kills than the Cougars (68-58). Megan Powers powered the Green Bay offense with 15 kills followed by 12 from Lydia DeWeese and 11 from Jessica Wolf.

Johnson said she was pleased with the intensity the Cougars showed in their home opener.

"I love competing that hard. Competing that hard is going to get us by Ohio Valley Conference play," she said.