Lions fall against PBC leading USC Aiken

AIKEN, S.C. - The Mars Hill Lions volleyball team dropped their first of two games on Day One of SAC/PBC Crossover play against USC Aiken, 3-0, Friday afternoon. 

The Pacers jumped out to a fast start against the Lions in the first set, knocking down 15 kills and hitting .317 to take the first set, 25-16.  They led by as many as nine points at various times throughout the set.  Christine Carroll and Alicia Hines each had three kills to lead the Pacers while Lauren Hochstetler matched their total in the opening frame to lead the Lions.

Trailing 7-11 in the second set, the Lions reeled off four straight points with kills from Hochstetler, Sally Anne Johnson and two from Harley Freeseman to tie the set.  The following point, USC Aiken's Alie Smith broke the Lions' streak.  The Pacers never looked back as they pulled away with the second set, 25-19.

Mars Hill battled strong until the end in the third set, ultimately falling 25-22.  The Lions had their best hitting percentage as a team, .111, and were led by Dayanna Barbosa's three third-set kills.  Fighting from behind, 14-20, the Lions clawed back into the game, 21-23, before a kill from Kelsey Spurlin turned the tides and a closing kill from Alicia Hines helped the Pacers secure the sweep.

Smith led all players with 10 kills in the contest.  Abby King had a team-high 13 assists and added two kills for the Lions.

Mars Hill drops to 4-11 as USC Aiken improves to 15-2.  

The Lions will wrap up Day One action when they take on Augusta at 4 p.m.