Mars Hill wins sixth straight, sweeps Carson-Newman

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - The Mars Hill volleyball team (13-4, 7-2 SAC) defeated Carson-Newman (9-7, 5-4 SAC) in straight sets to win their sixth straight match Saturday evening.

The first set began with the Lions taking the first four points and maintaining the lead throughout the frame.  Despite taking four of the next five points, the Eagles were unable to pull closer than two points for the remainder of the set.  Leading 13-11, Mars Hill claimed seven straight points and would go on to take the set, 25-19.

Mars Hill continued their dominant play in the second stanza.  Jumping out to a 4-1 lead, the Lions would give up the next two points, but rally back to take the next six and lead 10-3 midway through the frame.  Once again, Mars Hill would lead for the duration of the set and not allow the Eagles to pull within more than five points.

The Lions outhit the Eagles in all three sets, including a dominant third set that saw Mars Hill hit .326 to Carson-Newman's .190.  The Eagles took their first lead of the night by taking a 2-0 lead to start the frame.  The teams traded points back and forth until the 4-4 mark.  Mars Hill ran off three straight points to build their lead that they would not relinquish for the remainder of the game.

Maddie Spurgeon closed out all three sets for the Lions with the set-winning kill.

Oldenburger paced the Eagles' offense with eight kills and added 11 digs.  Ballard led all players with 39 digs.  Elena Vasquez has a team-high 15 assists.

Sally Anne Johnson and Spurgeon led the Lions with nine kills apiece.  Johnson also led the team with one solo block and five block assists.  Sara Pasour had a double-double with 23 assists and 12 digs.  The Lions also racked up 10 aces with three coming from Sarah Goddard and two apiece for Elizabeth Kaeser, Pasour and Ully Martins.

Mars Hill will travel to Anderson, South Carolina to take on the Trojans on Tuesday, October 9th at 7 p.m.