College of DuPage rallied in its Thursday match against visiting Highland, earning victories in the final two sets for a 3-2 victory in NJCAA Region 4 volleyball at PEC Arena.
 
The Chaparrals improved to 17-12 overall and 13-3 Region entering Friday's play at Rock Valley, where they take on Madison and the hosts.
 
COD earned the 20-25, 25-23, 18-25, 25-22, 15-10 victory with sound play up front. Josephine Becker led in kills with 19 and hit .326, while teammate Alexandra Hornbogen added 13 kills. COD totaled 53 kills in 201 attacks against the Cougars.
 
Highland broke from in the opener after the set was tied at 18-18. COD answered right back in the second after that set was tied at 20-20.
 
In the third, Highland created separation and gained the lead for good after the teams were tied at 11-11 and grabbed a 2-1 lead for the match.
 
COD gained momentum in the fourth after 11 ties, the final at 22-22. The Chaps scored the final three points of the match and forced the deciding fifth set.
 
Tied at 7-7 in the fifth, COD scored seven straight points, leading 14-7 and pushing ahead for the win.
 
Setter Ava Diaz led in assists with 444. She also had three service aces, along with Rory Geroux.
 
Defensively, libero Francesca Brandonisio led in digs with 31, Diaz 18, Camila Fundora 12 and Geroux 10.
 
On the block, both Christina Savaglio and Becker had one solo block, and Becker added three assisted blocks and Alexandra Hornbogen had two.