Stewart, Lions roll through LMU in SAC opener

HARROGATE, Tenn. - The Mars Hill volleyball team (5-1, 1-0 SAC) defeated Lincoln Memorial (4-3, 0-2 SAC) in four sets (25-17, 25-17, 22-25, 25-23) Tuesday evening on the road in their 2023 South Atlantic Conference opener.

Mars Hill hit .310 in the first set with 12 kills on 29 attempts. The trio of Timmons Yates, Katilyn Grant, and Ioana Poenaru led the team with three kills apiece. Both Yates and Nikkayla Stewart picked up two blocks in the set.

The Lions followed up their first set with an even more impressive 16 kills on 27 swings, hitting a match-high .556. Jada Cannon led the Lions with five kills on nine swings while Grant and Stewart each added eight kills on a combined nine swings.

Lincoln Memorial battled in the third, hitting a team-high .406 to take the frame. Ketura Margaret led all players with six kills in the set. Cannon, Grant, and Stewart each knocked down three kills apiece.

Mars Hill secured the win in the fourth, led by Cannon's five kills. The team is now on a three-match winning streak.

Kristen Moehring led all players with 18 kills followed by Margaret's 17 on the night. 

Cannon led the Lions with 13 kills followed by Grant's 12 and 11 from Stewart. Stewart hit a match-high .786, also racking up a match-high six blocks (1 BS, 5 BA). Yates added five blocks (5 BA) and nine kills. Jordan Schmucker led all players with 44 assists.

The Lions kickoff a three-match homestand on Friday, September 15 when they host Emory & Henry inside Chambers Gymnasium at 6 p.m.