Lions Sweep Carson-Newman

MARS HILL, N.C.-- Mars Hill's volleyball team opened the second half of South Atlantic Conference play with a sweep of Carson-Newman Tuesday evening in Stanford Arena.

The Lions earned 25-13, 25-23, 25-22 victories. Senior libero Maggie Murphy notched 16 digs to pass Allison Shannonhouse for third on Mars Hill's all-time list with 2,131 career digs. Murphy needs 86 digs to break Nicole Silver's school-record. Carson-Newman was led by Rachel Harper's 11 kills. The Lions improve to 10-6 overall and 8-4 in conference matches. The Eagles fall to 9-10 overall, 4-8 in SAC matches.

Marissa Wixson's 14 kills paced the MHU offensive effort, followed by MaryKate Griffin's 13 kills on an efficient .323 hitting percentage. Victoria Kaiser added 14 digs. Courtney Worthington (21 assists) and Hannah Wilson (11 assists) set the Mars Hill attack. MHU notched seven blocks in the match.

Kiayna O'Neal added nine kills for C-N. Lauren Santarelli notched 18 digs to go along with seven kills, while Taylor Lowe added 17 digs. Kristen Pickett picked up 31 assists.

Mars Hill raced out to an 8-0 lead in the first set and never looked back. Kaiser started the match with a kill and held serve during the rally. Griffin picked up a pair of kills and a block during that stretch. C-N got no closer than six the rest of the way, as MHU claimed a convincing 25-13 victory.

The Lions had to battle back from behind in the second set after trailing by as much as four early. MHU was able to knot the score at 17-apiece on a kill by Griffin before the teams traded the next 12 points. Mars Hill broke open the 23-all tie with a kill by Wixson, before a kill by Griffin gave the Lions the final 25-23 margin.

MHU never trailed in the final set, but had to fend off several comebacks by the Eagles. C-N tied the score at 18-18 and later at 22-22 before the Lions reeled off the final three points of the match. A pair of kills by Wixson finished off the final set, 25-23.

Mars Hill will take on SAC-foe Lincoln Memorial Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. in Stanford Arena.