Lauren Upah (6) and Gracie Vest (right) celebrate with their team after scoring a point in the first set against Montezuma on Sept. 7. South Tama earned a hard-fought victory outlasting two Montezuma rallies to win 3-2. -- Photo by Darvin Graham

The South Tama Trojans earned their first non-tournament victory Tuesday evening against Montezuma in a five-set overtime marathon match.

Montezuma took the first set 27-25, but South Tama responded in the second, winning 25-22.

The teams traded blows in the third and fourth, with South Tama taking set three 26-24.

Montezuma swung back with a big 25-16 win in the fourth set to tie the teams two sets apiece.

The Trojans found some magic in the final overtime set however, winning 17-15 to take an overall 3-2 match win.

Freshman Kayleah Laughlin extends up to defend a shot from Montezuma’s Shanae Wetering during South Tama’s 3-2 win Tuesday night. Laughlin led her team at the net with 6 blocks. -- Photo by Darvin Graham

Junior hitter Kortney Babinat led the attack for the Trojans with 18 kills, while senior Gracie Vest totaled 13. Next for the Trojans was Macy Welsh with 7 kills and Gloria Mullen and Kayleah Laughlin each with 5.

South Tama was effective at the service line with multiple players scoring aces against the Montezuma defense.

Lauren Veit and Gracie Vest led with 3 aces and Mollie Wobeter and Kortney Babinat each had two.

On the defensive side, Kayleah Laughlin led the team with 6 blocks and Gloria Mullen had 3.

In the middle South Tama got good production from Mollie Wobeter and Gracie Vest who each had 13 digs.

Junior Kortney Babinat smiles as she high fives her teammates while coming off the court during a timeout Tuesday. Babinat was the Trojan’s most effective scorer, knocking down a team-high 18 kills. -- Photo by Darvin Graham

South Tama faced Center Point-Urbana on Thursday and will next be at home next Tuesday for another conference dual against Benton Community.

Gloria Mullen fires a shot through two Montezuma defenders in the opening set of South Tama’s home win on Sept. 7. The sophomore hitter ended with five kills on the night. Mullen is one of six underclassmen contributing at the varsity level for the Trojans this season. -- Photo by Darvin Graham