The Sandhills Community College volleyball team knocked off the visiting Brunswick Dolphins in five sets Wednesday to claim its sixth win in its last eight games.

With the nonconference victory, the Flyers - a Division III NJCAA team - improved to 13-6. It was the first time in over two years that Sandhills has defeated the NJCAA Division II Dolphins.

"It is amazing," said North Moore graduate Miranda Love after her team's victory.

What was also amazing was Love's stat line for the match. She tallied 45 digs, 27 kills and five blocks.

"This is my last year here (at Sandhills), so I really wanted us to take this one and we did - we finished tonight," she said. "We have had some trouble finishing lately, so coach (Alicia) Hill has been getting on us about finishing ball games and we finally came through."

Love set the pace in the final set with two kills and a block as the Flyers jumped out to an early lead. Eventually Sandhills took the deciding fifth set 15-12 to pick up the victory.

The Flyers came out on top 28-26 in a highly entertaining and dramatic back-and-forth first set. According to Hill, it was a great way to start the night, especially since Brunswick beat the Flyers in four sets earlier in the season.

"Obviously everyone wants to win the first game, but tonight to take it in the fashion we did was critical in terms of setting the tone," Hill said. "Especially since they had taken us down earlier this season and we had not beat them in two years.

"More importantly, we did not get down on ourselves out there tonight and that was the big -difference."

After Brunswick battled back to square the match with a 25-18 win in game two, the Flyers powered their way to a 25-14 win in the third game. But Brunswick answered by claiming the next set by a score of 25-15 to send the match to a fifth game.

"We talked a lot out there tonight, which was huge," Hill said. "When we don't talk - like we did in game four - then you see the outcome. But overall, the girls communicated really well. Everybody was up and contributing and doing their part."

Pinecrest graduate Paige Horne also had a big night for the Flyers, finishing with 34 assists and 10 digs.

"As the season moves on, I can feel everybody becoming more comfortable with their positioning and roles," Horne said. "It seems like everything is just starting to fall into place.

"There was a lot riding on this game tonight and I think our play demonstrated that. Everybody hustled, and gave it their all so we could win it."

Sarah Thomas finished with 14 digs, seven kills, and three aces for Sandhills. Samantha Morgan had nine digs, five kills and three aces. Kathleen Wood racked up seven blocks for the Flyers, while Jessica Marion had 21 digs.

Sandhills is back in action Saturday for homecoming at Heins Gym against Piedmont Baptist College with matches scheduled for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Contact F.W. Manning II at frankwm2@gmail.com