LA MIRADA, Calif. --- It wasn't easy. At times it wasn't pretty. But at the end of the day it was good enough, and a win is a win. Two days after an emotionally-draining, incredible effort over Azusa Pacific, Bioa Volleyball had a hard time getting all the wheels going in a hard-fought, grind it out 3-2 win over Dominican (25-15; 23-25; 25-16; 21-25; 15-12).

"Tonight was an extremely tough emotional challenge," said Head Coach Aaron Seltzer. "These matches are so difficult to play, when you have a match with so much emotion, get one night off and then have to come right back. Somehow, some way. With much of God's blessing and mercy we were able to come away victoriously."

The Dominican Penguins did absolutely everything they could to try and prevent Biola from being able to work its way to that victory, putting forth a stellar performance in a tough defeat for the scrappy visiting team.

The Penguins hit .212 for the evening, which is the best any team has managed to hit against Biola since the Hawaii Hilo loss a few weeks back. It was also over fifty points higher than their season-average hitting percentage coming into the day.

"Kudos to Dominican," said Seltzer. "They were ready to play. They played hard, loose and smart. We struggled to put balls away on the outside. "

Catherine Johnson led the way for Dominican with 13 kills. Cat Thomason was second with 11 and also had four blocks, which led the team and helped DUC to seven blocks on the night. A stat category they led the Eagles in. Those two performances helped the Penguins steal sets two and four and really make Biola sweat in a tight fifth set.

Seltzer was forced to turn to Christina DenBoer, who was taking the night off, late in the fourth set when it became apparent the match would go five. The sophomore team leader was an integral part in the Eagles' ability to finish strong and get the win. She ended up with eight kills and an ace despite not entering until it was 18-12 already in the fourth set.

DenBoer had five fifth-set kills, while senior Karly Dantuma three of her own to carry the effort. Dantuma landed the game-winning kill at 15-12 and led the team with a season-high 17 kills while taking care of the ball with a .400 hitting percentage.

Biola took care of its own business for the most part in the fifth set, compiling 11 kills to account for all but four of their match-clinching points. DenBoer's aces, and three Dominican errors accounted for the other four points.

The fifth set was no cake walk, as just like in the APU match earlier this week the two teams were tied at seven in a shootout for who would get the advantageous go-ahead point in advance of the side switch.

A Dantuma kill turned out to be the 8-7 go-ahead point for BU. It was part of a brief run of three points out of four that allowed BU to take a 10-8 lead and begin to feel somewhat comfortable.

That comfort was fleeting as DUC managed the next two points with a kill and a stuff and tied it at 10. Fortunately, Biola was able to bounce back with a three-point run of their own, including two DenBoer kills and a block from Bekah Roth and Brinley Beresford, to get back into the driver's seat.

The two sides traded points for a bit until Dantuma's 17th kill of the night clinched it for BU at 15-12.

"These are matches you just have to find a way to win," said Seltzer.

Bekah Roth ended with 11 kills and Beresford had 10 to join Dantuma in double figures. Beresford paired 25 assists and a handful of digs with her 10 kills for her first double-double of the season. She seems to like playing the Penguins, having a fantastic match against them last year also.

The win moves Biola to 13-5 overall and now 9-2 in PacWest Conference competition. Azusa Pacific also managed a win on Friday night to maintain their one-game lead in the conference standings over BU. The loss dropped Dominican to 4-10 (2-7 PacWest).

Now the Eagles pack their suitcases to head to the islands. Biola will play Chaminade (10/9), Hawaii Pacific (10/10) and Hawaii Hilo (10/12) on a quick Hawaiian road trip next week.