COEUR d'ALENE - The Post Falls Trojans and Coeur d'Alene Vikings dazzled a pink-filled crowd with a third set of epic proportions in a 5A Inland Empire League match Tuesday on Volleyball 4 the Cure night.

"It was amazing," Vikings senior outside hitter Anyssa Matheson said. "When you're out there in that situation ... that's when the real players come out."

Down two sets to none, Maddy Seaman served the Vikings (8-8, 1-4 5A IEL) to a 24-18 lead in the third set. But Jazmine Chavez brought the Trojans (16-5, 3-2) back with seven straight points to give them the lead.

On the ensuing match point, Ashley Jibby's spike looked so certain it would fall, the Post Falls student section roared in apparent victory, but Demi Johnson dug the ball out for the Vikings, who silenced the Trojan faithful with a Kayla McGlathery kill.

"When it is tied like that, that is when you find out who you are as a player," Matheson said.

After six long, back-and-forth rallies that electrified Jordan Court, the host Vikings were able to come out on top 29-27 thanks to a Matheson kill.

"Those last six points were just fun," Trojans coach Willow Hanna said. "I'm sure that was fun for the crowd and even as a coach watching them battle back and forth with long rallies ... it was just a great third set."

Despite the thrilling Viking comeback, Post Falls rallied in the fourth set to defeat Coeur d'Alene 25-18, 25-18, 27-29, 25-20.

"It was a hard-fought battle," Vikings coach Dee Pottenger said. "My girls really competed, and they continue to get better."

Jibby led the Trojans with 16 digs and 13 kills. Tori Bertsch had 26 assists, 11 kills and 11 digs. Allison Meehan recorded four aces and Brooke Litalien had 13 kills.

The Vikings were led by McGlathery, who had 14 kills and four blocks. Michelle Flannery had 31 assists and Matheson had 11 kills and one ace.

For Matheson, this game was more than just a volleyball match.

Matheson's aunt was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and is currently in her sixth week of chemo treatment.

"Even if we won or lost I was really excited that we got the chance to raise the awareness of breast cancer out there," Matheson said. "I was just excited to show (my aunt) our appreciation for her. It was really special to me."

Now in its fifth year, Volleyball 4 the Cure looks to raise the awareness of breast cancer while raising money for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation in a fight against breast cancer.

This year funds will also go to Hospice.

"This is an amazing night for us. This is the fifth year we've done this and to date we've raised over $15,000," Hanna said.

Raffles were held during the game and the total amount raised this year is still being determined.

Post Falls heads to Lake City on Thursday for a pivotal 5A Inland Empire League match. The Vikings are off until Saturday when they host Lewiston.