WASHINGTON – Senior Allison Cappellino recorded a season-high 19 kills and classmate Kristyna Lindovska added 16 kills, but the American University volleyball team was unable to get past George Washington on Wednesday evening, falling in a thrilling five-set match (25-14, 25-19, 20-25, 24-26, 18-20).

With the loss, the Eagles snapped a nine-match winning streak to fall to 17-6 on the season. Meanwhile, the Colonials, led by 19 kills from Chidima Osuchukwu, improved to 16-7 on the year.

Senior Sarah Katz pitched in 11 kills and 11 digs for the Eagles, while senior setter Monika Smidova added 16 digs and a season-high 54 assists.

The two teams traded points early in the first set before the Eagles were able to string together three straight points to break a 7-7 tie. The momentum shift sparked a 16-3 run by American which included a seven-point service run by Lindovska.

Led by seven kills on seven attempts from Cappellino, the Eagles hit .407 in the opening set, while holding the Colonials to a -.029 attack percentage.

In the second set, American again pulled away after an early 7-7 tie. The Eagles led by as many as 21-15 before GW pulled within three points at 22-19. After calling its first timeout of the match, AU scored three straight points, winning the set with a block by sophomore Erin Swartz and Lindovska.

George Washington led through much of the third set, taking a 19-16 lead before American came back to tie the score at 20-20. However, the Colonials answered with five straight kills to earn the set victory.

It was another close battle in the fourth set, but American had the late advantage, leading 24-21. GW answered with another rally, scoring five straight points to force the deciding set.

The Eagles opened up the fifth set on a 4-0 run, but the Colonials came back to tie the game at 5-5. American again pulled ahead, eventually taking a 13-10 lead to prompt a GW timeout.

The Colonials responded to the break, tying the score at 13-13 and again at 14-14 before taking a 15-14 lead. The Eagles fought off a pair of match points before a kill by Lindovska gave AU the match point at 18-17. However, GW closed out the set with three straight points to take the match victory.

 "Every time we were close to winning [at the end of the match], we were unable to put the ball down," said Smidova. "We need to work more on hitting and staying aggressive. I feel like some of us started hesitating when we saw their blocks.

"We definitely showed a fighting spirit tonight. Even though we were down in the fifth set, we fought back and even had a match point. Going forward, we need to keep that fighting spirit and just be more aggressive at the net."

The Eagles return home this weekend for a pair of Patriot League contests, hosting Bucknell on Friday at 7 p.m., before facing Lafayette on Saturday at 2 p.m.