ANDERSON, S.C. - Paced by middle hitter Serena Jackson's career-high 21 kills and .594 hitting percentage, the Anderson University volleyball team rallied for a thrilling five-set, 3-2 (25-17, 24-26, 19-25, 25-14, 15-10) win past Queens in the South Atlantic Conference opener for both teams Friday night at the Abney Athletic Center.

"This was a fantastic come-from-behind team victory," said Anderson head coach Gene Krieger. "It was certainly the finest match of the young season. It was a career night for Serena Jackson and the first start for freshman Jayln Knight, who played very well."

Anderson (3-2, 1-0 SAC) snapped a two-match skid with the victory and earned its second straight win past the Royals at the Abney Center, while Queens fell to 1-4 overall and 0-1 in league play.

Jackson, a sophomore, added three blocks and a pair of assists to her career effort, while redshirt junior Tinsley Hallman notched a double-double with 14 kills and 14 digs. Fellow redshirt junior Priscilla Irizarry also recorded a double-double, with 42 kills and 16 digs to go along with two service aces and a pair of blocks. Knight tallied seven kills and posted 13 digs, with junior Jessica Harris chipping in five blocks.

After four early ties in the opening set, the Trojans took a lead they would not relinquish, at 5-4, on Jackson's second straight kill and fourth in the opening minutes. AU steadily built a five-point, 12-7, lead before the Royals trimmed the advantage to just two points, with the Trojans answering with a 9-3 outburst to garner a 22-14 lead. Queens would get no closer than six down the stretch, as AU closed out the eight-point win.

The Trojans jumped out to a quick 7-2 advantage in the second frame, but Queens countered with six unanswered points to take its first lead of the set. With the set featuring 16 ties and seven lead changes, the Royals snapped a 24-24 deadlock with the final two points of the set.

AU scored the first point of the third set, but Queens responded with three consecutive points to take a lead it would not surrender and eventually built an eight-point, 15-7, cushion. The Trojans battled back within two, at 21-19, on an ace from Knight, but the rally fell short with the Royals closing the set by scoring the final four points.

The Black and Gold jumped out to an 8-3 lead in the fourth set and never looked back, building a double-digit lead and holding the Royals to a .000 hitting percentage en route to the win.

After Queens scored the opening point of the fifth and decisive set, the Trojans countered with a 9-2 outburst to take control of the frame. The Royals responded with a 6-1 surge of their own, but were unable to overtake AU down the stretch.

South Atlantic Conference opponent Catawba and Peach Belt Conference-member Flagler invade the Abney Center for a tri-match on Saturday, with Anderson and Catawba set for a noon showdown. Catawba and Flagler will square off at 2:30 p.m., with the Trojans and Saints wrapping up the action at 5 p.m.