The Spartan volleyball team remained unbeaten in Northern Athletics Conference action Friday night in Thornton Gymnasium, defeating the visiting Stars of Dominican University in five sets, 3-2 (25-13, 11-25, 25-20, 21-25, 15-8).

AU came out on fire, capturing the opening set in front of the home AU crowd, 25-13. The quick start by the host Spartans was promptly halted though, as the Stars captured the second set 25-11 and setting up what would remain a see-saw battle the remainder of the evening.

AU won the third set 25-20, with the Stars winning the fourth set 25-21 and pushing the match-up of unbeaten NAC foes into a fifth and deciding set.

AU jumped out to a quick 5-1 lead in the fifth set only to see the lead evaporate with the Stars knotting the set at six. The Spartans took an 8-6 lead with the teams swapping courts and would not look back before sending the Stars home with their first NAC defeat in the 2009 season.

The Spartans were led by senior middle hitter Jill Smart (13 kills, nine digs and three blocks), junior outside hitter Amy Reynolds (12 kills and 26 digs) and the senior combo of setters, Christine Ozlanski (21 assists) and Cortni Ramm (18 assists) on the night.

The Stars were led by junior outside hitter Darcy Kammeier (13 kills and 13 digs) and junior middle hitter Kasey Kiepura (11 kills and six blocks).

The Spartans improve their record to 10-11; 3-0 NAC while the Stars fall to 11-7; 4-1 NAC.