LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Five sets was needed to determine the winner of the Heartland Athletic Conference volleyball championship match Thursday night at Lincoln High School, as the Southwest Silver Hawks captured the win 25-20, 25-23, 7-25, 22-25, 15-13 over the top-seeded North Star Gators.

The Silver Hawks – just like in Tuesday’s quarterfinal win over Lincoln East – took the first two sets, but then could not win the match in either of the next two games. North Star showed it wouldn’t go down without a fight, especially in the third set where the Gators once led 16-1.

But the fourth and fifth sets were absolute battles. Late in the fifth, the game was tied at 11, but the Silver Hawks would score four of the next six points to seal the deal.

District play is next for both teams, with spots in the state tournament on the line.

Watch the highlights and postgame interview: