INDIANOLA, Iowa - If the rest of the season is like the opener, the Grinnell College volleyball team is in for a thrilling ride in 2021.

The Pioneers outlasted Simpson College in a two-plus hour marathon Wednesday night, winning by scores of 23-25, 25-15, 25-23, 19-25 and 15-11 on the Storm's court. The dramatic win came after the visitors trailed by as many as two in the fifth set.

Grinnell served up 14 aces, the sixth-highest total in program history for a five-set match, with Kaylin Kuhn '22 contributing six of those. Her total ranks seventh in program history for a five-setter.

Emmy Nyquist '24 added three aces and Julianna Roth '23 had two. Kuhn led the team at the net with 16 kills, while Jenna Keller '24 had 10. Kuhn also led the Pioneers in digs with 16. Payton Lowrey '22 contributed 15, Rachel Woock '23 had 12 and Keller contributed 11. Anna Killin '23 added a solo block and block assist.

During the match, Kuhn climbed up Grinnell's all-time attack attempts list by boosting her total to 3,365. That sent her past Courtney Sapp into fifth.

Grinnell hosts its own tournament Friday and Saturday at Darby Gymnasium.