AKRON – It was a long and competitive night of volleyball Wednesday at Tippecanoe Valley High School.

In the end, visiting Whitko outlasted the host Vikings for a thrilling 3-2 win in a big Three Rivers Conference clash of rivals.

The Wildcats won the marathon match 25-21, 20-25, 25-20, 13-25, 17-15.

Whitko won the match despite losing star hitter Kaity Reed in the third set to an ankle sprain.

Reed made her mark before departing the back-and-forth showdown as she led Whitko on the night with 18 kills.

Emily Day stepped up with 10 kills for the Wildcats, while Whitney Marsh had nine and Lyndsey Sapp five.

The trio of Emily Hughes, Haley Yohe and Day each had two aces for the winners. Yore racked up 39 assists in the victory.

Lexi O’Connell had 17 kills and 25 digs to lead the way for the Vikings.

Sophie Bussard and Kayla Scott each two aces for Valley. Maddy Henninger had 37 assists for the home team.

Valley won the junior varsity match in two games.

Whitko improves to 20-7 overall and 6-3 in TRC play. Valley is now 17-10 overall and 5-3 in league action.

Whitko hosts its own invitational on Saturday. Valley will host Southwood on Tuesday night.