WAVERLY, Iowa - The American Rivers Conference' No. 1 and 2 picks in the Preseason Coaches' Poll battled to five sets at Levick Arena Tuesday evening, with the University of Dubuque prevailing 3-2 (21-25, 29-27, 22-25, 25-21, 15-13) over Wartburg College. 

Down 2-1, Dubuque fought back and won the final two frames to steal the road victory. 

Wartburg, now 2-2 overall and 2-1 during A-R-C action, led UD in aces 10-3 and blocks 8-5. A competitive match led to similar numbers offensively and defensively. 

Kennedy Meister stood out for the Orange & Black, tallying 24 kills with a .347 attack percentage. Her kill total is the most by a Knight since former All-American Aryn Jones also recorded 24 versus Aurora University (9/23/2017).

Katie Foster led the defensive effort with 34 digs while Claire Marsh set up the attack with a career-high 37 assists. 

The Knights gained a 1-0 lead, taking the first set 25-21 and leading on the attack 18-14 in kills.

UD responded during a back-and-forth second set that featured five lead changes, 29-27. Wartburg led by as many as five at 17-12, but the Spartans closed out the set strong on a 17-10 run while forcing eight Wartburg errors total during the second frame.

Wartburg's best set offensively came during the third, attacking at a clip of .333. The Knights jumped out to a 13-8 lead after back-to-back kills from Abbey Thier and Kylie Bildstein and rode their momentum to a 25-22 set win to reclaim an advantage, 2-1. 

Dubuque rallied, however, winning the final two sets 25-21, 15-13. The visitors limited Wartburg to attacking percentages under .200 in the fourth and fifth sets and registered 26 kills. 

Up next, Wartburg returns to Levick Arena this Friday, march 5, hosting Buena Vista University at 7 p.m.