Lions sweep Coker in regular season finale

HARTSVILLE, S.C. - The Mars Hill volleyball team (5-4, 5-4 SAC) ended the 2021 spring season with a 3-0 win over Coker (2-6, 2-6 SAC) Saturday afternoon.

The Lions opened the contest on a 5-1 run before the Cobras pulled within one at 8-7.  Going on a 6-3 run with kills from Kelly Jakaitis, Sarah Goddard, and Jana Cuk, Mars Hill carried a 14-10 lead midway through the first set.  Mars Hill's advantage remained intact as they took the first, 25-18.

Mars Hill went up 7-3 in the second, aided by two kills from Grace Lilly in the run.  As Coker pulled within one, 8-7, the Lions created distance with a 4-0 run.  Later in the stanza, another Mars Hill 4-0 run provided the Lions a seven-point lead, with back-to-back-to-back aces from Bre Myers.

Trailing 12-11 midway through the third, the Lions reeled off six straight points, including kills from Goddard, Lilly, Cuk, and Lauren Phillips.  Mars Hill hit a game-high .361 in the third, knocking down 16 kills on 36 attempts to complete the sweep.

Cuk led the Lions with eight kills followed by seven apiece from Lilly and Goddard.  Lilly led the Lions with 12 digs for the double-double.  Sara Pasour led the Lions with 17 assists while Jordan Schmucker added 12.  Myers led all players with three aces.

Mars Hill closes out the regular season with a 5-4 record.  They open South Atlantic Conference Championship play as the No. 5 seed, traveling to Charlotte to take on the Queens Royals.  First serve is set for 7 p.m