The Misericordia University volleyball team took a 2-1 lead but couldn't close out the match as the Cougars lost a heartbreaker in their Freedom Conference semifinal at FDU-Florham, 3-2 (25-18, 13-25, 27-29, 25-15, 15-7).

Junior Krystal Burford had a huge day, with nine kills and 14 blocks. Sophomore Cailin McCullion recorded a team-high 11 kills, while senior Shannon Kane had 23 digs and a pair of service aces.

Junior Kristin Hoffman filled the box score with five kills, three total blocks, 20 digs and 14 assists. Classmate and fellow setter Meghan Hotaling also had 14 assists. Nicole Korgeski added 19 digs and senior Lexie Goble had five blocks.

The Devils jumped out to a 6-2 lead in game one thanks in part to two early blocks. The Cougars twice got to within three after kills from Hotaling made it 9-6 and then 10-7 FDU, but the Devils opened the gap back up to five and Misericordia was forced to call timeout.

FDU stretched its lead to 18-10 before a Goble kill sandwiched by points from McCullion made it interesting. However, it was the closest MU would get in the opening set as the Devils pulled away to win 25-18.

The Cougars came out on fire to start the second game, opening up a 6-1 lead. McCullion and Burford combined for a block and Hoffman delivered a service ace in that early run.

Kills from McCullion and Goble helped MU stretch its lead to 11-4. The Devils grabbed two straight points, but Goble then combined with Kat LaBrie and Hoffman for blocks and also notched a kill as Misericordia stretched its lead to 14-6 and forced the hosts to call a timeout.

MU would lead by as much as 12 after Molly Harlaman's kill made the score 19-7. The Cougars were again up by 12 at the end of the game as Burford grabbed her fifth kill and then her fourth block of the set to give Misericordia a 25-13 win.

Misericordia kept up its good play into game three, leading 6-3 after LaBrie's kill. This time the Devils rallied however, and briefly took the lead before another kill from LaBrie evened the score at 8-8.

It was an unbelievably close game as the teams traded points the rest of the way. The score was subsequently tied at nine, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 before the Cougars finally grabbed the last points to win the marathon set.

The fourth game continued to go back and forth early on, until FDU-Florham ran off seven consecutive points to take a 12-7 lead. Misericordia would get no closer than four the rest of the way as the Devils won easily, 25-15.

Just three points total separated the two squads through four games and it all came down to the fifth and final set. Kane opened up with an ace but the Cougars couldn't keep the momentum, falling behind 9-2 as FDU went on an 8-0 run that effectively locked up the match.

Misericordia finishes its season with a 14-17 record. FDU-Florham will travel to Eastern for the Freedom Conference final on Saturday.