Lions down Newberry to complete season sweep

NEWBERRY, S.C. - The Mars Hill volleyball team (10-8, 7-4 SAC) took down Newberry (4-13, 2-10 SAC) in straight sets Friday evening in a return to South Atlantic Conference action.

Trailing 15-14 midway through the first, a Lions' 6-0 run capped off by a block from Sarah Goddard and Eriana Ansley gave Mars Hill their final lead of the set.  Ansley and Kelly Jakaitis joined up to secure the set with a block on the final point of the frame, giving Mars Hill the 25-19 first set.

Mars Hill never trailed in the second set, taking the stanza by a score of 25-16.  The Lions offense, leading 10-5, went on a 7-0 run with two kills apiece from Ansley and Goddard.  Closing out the set on four straight points, Lauren Phillips recorded two aces in that span.

Newberry, with the third set tied at three, went on a 6-0 run to pull away from Mars Hill.  The Lions clawed their way back into the contest, taking 13 of the next 15 points to go up 16-11.  Once again, the Lions would not relinquish the lead and furthered their lead to nine off of a 4-0 run late in the frame.  On match point, Sally Anne Johnson knocked down her eighth kill of the night to secure the 3-0 win for the Lions.

Goddard led the Lions with 13 kills and added three digs and two block assists.  Johnson added eight kills and hit .571 on the night.  Ansley ended the game with four kills and four blocks.

Mars Hill returns to action on Saturday, October 19 when they take on Anderson on the road.  First serve is scheduled for 2 p.m.