Erskine Tops Lions in Five Sets

FLORENCE, S.C. - The Mars Hill volleyball team dropped a heartbreaking 3-2 decision to Erskine on Saturday morning at the FMU Invitational in the Smith University Center. The Lions fall to 0-3 on the season with two of their losses coming in five sets.

Sophomore Mary Kate Griffin had a double-double, recording 11 kills and 10 digs. Freshman Rebecca Butler also had 11 kills and a team-high four blocks. Senior Christen Nicholson led the way with 23 digs, with classmate Hannah Wilson adding 17 digs.

With the deciding fifth set tied at three, a pair of service aces from freshman Rebecca Butler began a 5-0 run for an 8-3 Lion lead. Erskine tied the set at 9 before pulling ahead 13-11 thanks to a Catherine McAlister kill. Mars Hill tied the match at 14 before a kill and service error gave Erskine a 16-14 victory and the match win.

Mars Hill outlasted Erskine in the first set, picking up a 27-25 victory. With the Flying Fleet holding a 19-9 advantage, the Lions went on a 7-1 run to trim the Erskine lead to 20-16. After Erskine pulled ahead 24-18, the Lions scored the next seven points to take a 25-24 lead. The two teams traded points with the set ending on an Erskine attack error.

Set two saw the Lions and Flying Fleet struggle to separate early as the teams stayed within two points of each other before Mars Hill went on a 5-0 run to take a 19-13 advantage. Following a Lion service error, Mars Hill scored four of the next five points and pushed ahead for a 25-18 win.

Erskine hit a match-high .353 to win the third set, 25-12. The Flying Fleet jumped out to a 15-3 advantage in the fourth set as they forced the deciding fifth set with a 25-10 win.

The Lions wrap up the FMU Invitational this afternoon against tournament host Francis Marion at 5 p.m.