In a match that looked like it could have gone to either team, Concordia University Irvine battled valiantly against Hawai'i Pacific before ultimately falling in the deciding fifth set, 15-13.

The Eagles erased a 2-0 deficit by rallying behind a trio of freshmen.

Patience O'Neal led the Green and Gold with 14 kills. One of her spikes came at a crucial time early in the third set and helped get the Eagles back on track.

After O'Neal set the tone, Brianna Latigue went on a serving spree in that third set to help the Eagles build a 14-5 lead thanks to a 9-0 run.

CUI would take the third set by a wide margin of 25-13 to prolong the match and gain momentum.

That's when O'Neal and Cambria Fernandez helped lead the charge to force a fifth set.

Fernandez racked up five kills and O'Neal added four as Concordia worked a 25-22 victory to draw even 2-2.

In the fifth set, the teams were tied on eight different occasions including at 13 apiece. The Sharks however were able to fend off the hosts and sneak away with a narrow 15-13 win to snap CUI's three game winning streak.

Ailsa Watson led the Eagles with 28 assists and libero Clarice Buchanan did her part with 18 digs.

Concordia returns to action Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. against Hawai'I Hilo.