Volleyball Comeback Falls Short at Tusculum

GREENEVILLE, TENN. - The Mars Hill volleyball team lost 3-2 to Tusculum in Pioneer Arena on Tuesday night after rallying from a 2-0 deficit to force a deciding fifth set. Tusculum won by scores of 25-23, 25-15, 24-26, 28-30 and 15-7. Mars Hill falls to 9-18 overall and 8-12 in the South Atlantic Conference while Tusculum improves to 15-13 and 14-6.

Rebecca Butler led the Lions with 16 kills, followed by 13 kills each from Mary Kate Griffin and Lauren Hochstetler. Devon Felts finished in double figures with 10 kills. Griffin had a match-high seven aces from behind the line. Andie Russell handed out 29 assists, with 19 from Sara Fahrenbrook. Butler had a team-leading 24 digs, followed by 19 each from Griffin and Christen Nicholson and 11 from Hochstetler.

Laryssa Welch and Megan Hasse each had 17 kills for the Pioneers, with Rachel Garnett adding 12 kills. Moriah Jones led the hosts with 24 digs, followed by 18 from Sabrina Schleuger, 15 by Shannon Murphy and 14 from Sarah Bouley.

Tusculum won the first two sets and held a 22-13 lead in the third set. Mars Hill began an 11-0 run thanks to a Griffin kill and tied the set at 22 thanks to a Hochstetler kill. The Lions held a 24-22 lead before Tusculum tied the score at 24 following a pair of kills. The Lions earned a 26-24 win following consecutive attack errors by the Pioneers.

Mars Hill had their backs against the wall again in the fourth set, trailing 23-16. The Lions didn't go quietly, using an 8-0 to claim a 24-23 lead. After a slew of extra points, the Lions tied the match at 2 thanks to consecutive Griffin kills.

With the deciding fifth set tied at 4, Tusculum went on a 5-0 run to claim a 9-4 lead. Mars Hill cut the lead to three, 9-6, before a 6-1 Pioneer run closed out the match.

The Lions conclude the 2014 regular season with a pair of home matches this weekend. Mars Hill welcomes No. 12 Wingate to Stanford Arena at 7 p.m. on Friday, followed by Coker at 2 p.m. Saturday.