Lions Fall To Anderson

MARS HILL, N.C. – The Mars Hill volleyball team dropped a 3-1 decision to Anderson on Saturday afternoon inside Chambers Gymnasium. After winning the first set 25-23, the Lions surrendered the next three by scores of 16-25, 20-25, and 23-25. MHU fell to 7-20 overall and 6-14 in the SAC, while the Trojans improved to 17-11 overall and 13-7 in the league.

It was Senior Day for the Lions. Mary Kate Griffin, Victoria Kaiser and Andie Russell played their final match inside Stanford Arena.

Rebecca Butler led all Lions in kills with 10 to go along with 10 digs, collecting her fifth double-double on the season. Mary Kate Griffin chipped in nine kills and 12 digs, while Andie Russell dished out 27 assists. Victoria Kaiser once again anchored the defense with a team-high 24 digs.

The Lions were very aggressive early in set one after climbing to a 16-10 advantage following a service ace from Sara Fahrenbrook. Anderson used a 14-8 run to draw within a point at 24-23, but a kill from Sally Anne Johnson gave the Lions a 1-0 match lead.

From that point it was all Anderson, starting with set two. Following an unforced error by the Blue and Gold, Anderson controlled an 11-5 lead, forcing a timeout by the home team. The brief hiatus did nothing for momentum as the lead grew to 18-8 and AU finished the set 25-16 to tie the match at one-all.

Set three was a bit of a different story in the early stages, but with the score at 19-18 in favor of the Trojans, a detrimental 6-2 run gave Anderson a 2-1 lead in the match. A kill from Butler in set four put the Lions ahead 13-11, but AU used a 5-1 run to push ahead 16-14. The Lions regained the lead at 23-22, but three straight points from Anderson closed the deal on the Lions attempt to force a fifth set.

Mars Hill will hit the road on Friday, November 11, traveling to face Wingate. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.