EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE volleyball extended its Ohio Valley Conference-best winning streak to nine matches with a thrilling five-set victory over Murray State at the Vadalabene Center.

The Cougars improved to 19-4 overall and 9-2 in the OVC with a 25-22, 25-19, 16-25, 23-25, 15-13 victory. That dropped Murray State to 15-8 overall and 7-4 in the OVC.

It also was SIUE's first win against the Racers since 2013, halting a nine-match losing streak.

SIUE won the first two sets, and Murray State came back to win the next two sets.

That set up a crucial fifth set, the fifth consecutive time these two teams have battled to that point.

"The thought in the huddle was this is our homecourt," said SIUE senior outside hitter Ashley Witt. "Let's protect it."

Murray State grabbed the early lead in the fifth set 8-5 as the two teams switched sides. After the short break, SIUE went on a 5-1 run that included two service aces by Katie Shashack.

"We served really tough tonight," said Acting SIUE Head Coach Kendall Paulus. "We stayed aggressive back there tonight."

The Cougars took the lead in the fifth set 9-8 on a kill by Emily Harrison.

Murray State fought back with a kill by Dacia Brown and a service ace by Callie Anderton to lead 10-9.

The two teams tied one final time at 11-11 before SIUE grabbed a three-point lead off Jordyn Klein's serve that included a kill by Taylor Joens.

"We pulled the focus back on our offense, and that seemed to help," added Paulus.

Murray State held off two match points, but Joens, who led SIUE with 16 kills, downed the ball for victory.

Witt joined Joens in double figures with 15 kills. SIUE hit .170 as a team.

Murray State's Rachel Holthaus led all players with 21 kills. Rachel Giustino added 12 for the Racers. Murray State hit .200 as a team.

"You have heavy hitters on both sides," said Paulus. "There were a lot of 'wow' moments and 'wow' defensive moves."

SIUE finished with 100 digs for the second time this season. Shashack led the Cougars with 24.

The Cougars next face Austin Peay Saturday at 2 p.m. The match will serve as Senior Day for the Cougars, who will honor seniors Shashack, Joens, Harrison, Witt, Jackie Scott and Carley Ramich.