Johnson sets career-high in blocks in match against Wingate

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Mars Hill volleyball team (14-10, 8-8 SAC) was downed in three sets on the road to undefeated Wingate (23-0, 16-0 SAC) Tuesday evening.

The Bulldogs hit .389 in the opening set and never trailed in the set.  Tied at two, Wingate reeled off six straight points to build a sizable lead heading into the middle of the frame.  The Lions would pull within four points late, but Wingate ended the set by winning seven of the final eight points in the set.

Mars Hill began the second set dropping five of the first six points, but rallied to go up 6-5 after a five point run of their own.  The set would remain tied at 10-all until the Bulldogs won eight straight points, led by Anne Abernathy's four kills in the run.  With Wingate's large lead, despite the teams trading points back and forth for the duration of the set, Mars Hill found themselves trailing 2-0 entering the third set.

In a tightly contest third set, Mars Hill was down 20-13 before winning four straight points to pull within three.  They would remain within reach for the rest of the set, however, Wingate was able to capitalize and with kills from Taylor Williams and Molly Lambiollette and secure the three-set victory.

Williams had a game-high 17 kills followed by Lambiollette's 11 and Abernathy's 10 kills on the night.  Rachel Alles had 44 assists and Kori Adams led the team with 28 digs.

Dayanna Barbosa led the Lions with seven kills.  Ully Martins had a team-high 19 digs while Abby King had 11 assists. 

Sally Anne Johnson continued her career year, setting a new high in single season blocks.  Johnson recorded one solo block and five block assists to give her 94 on the year.  Her 76 block assists ties her career-high, which was set last season.  She currently sits fourth in school history with 262 blocks.

The Lions return to the court on Friday, October 26th when they travel to Harrogate to face Lincoln Memorial.  First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.