Lions Go the Distance to Defeat Newberry

MARS HILL, N.C.-- Mars Hill's volleyball team fell behind after three sets, but rallied back to earn a marathon five-set victory over Newberry in a South Atlantic Conference match Tuesday evening in Stanford Arena.

The Lions were able to prevail 27-25, 21-25, 18-25, 25-13, 15-13. Marissa Wixson turned in a complete effort, notching 24 kills on a .313 hitting percentage and adding 14 digs for the double-double. Regan Macomson tied a season-high  with 11 kills on an efficient .370 clip for the Lions. Alexus Horton and Samantha Parrish each tallied 17 kills for Newberry, with Parrish adding 20 digs. Mars Hill improved to 14-8 overall and 12-6 in SAC matches. The Wolves fall to 16-9 overall, 10-8 in conference play.

Victoria Kaiser notched a career-high 10 kills for MHU. Hannah Wilson (26 assists), Andie Russell (16 assists) and Courtney Worthington (10 assists) set a Lion attack that hit .230 on the evening. Maggie Murphy notched a team-high 25 digs, while Lindsay Austin added 11 digs.

Horton hit an efficient .500 for the Wolves and assisted on four blocks. Elayni Stokes notched a match-high 31 digs for Newberry. Chelsea Mayor tallied a double-double with 34 assists and 10 digs.

The first set was tight the entire way through, with neither team leading by more than three. After falling behind 18-15, a kill by Macomson and two Newberry attack errors pulled the score even. The teams traded blows the rest of the set, but back-to-back kills by MaryKate Griffin and Russell gave the Lions the 27-25 win. Griffin had eight kills in the match.

A five-point run by the Wolves in the second set busted open a 17-17 tie and give Newberry the lead for good. Parrish notched two kills, while Horton added another in the run. A kill by Holly Brisson provided the 25-21 margin.

The Wolves got their best offensive effort of the night in the third set to take the 2-1 lead. Newberry hit .364 during the set. A pair of four-point runs provided the Wolves with enough cushion to earn the 25-18 victory .

Mars Hill came back with a decisive 25-13 victory to force the deciding fifth set. The Lions broke open an eight-all tie with a three-point run to make the score 11-8. A 10-point run with Worthington holding serve put the set out of reach. Worthington notched two aces, while Wixson added four kills during that stretch.

The Lions built an 8-4 lead in the deciding set, sparked by four Wixson kills and a pair of kills by Macomson. Newberry was able to pull within 9-8 on a kill by Parrish, but two kills by Griffin and an attack error restored the Lion lead to four. Newberry was able to pull within 14-13 on a kill by Brisson, but a kill by Wixson put away the match, 15-13.

Mars Hill will host SAC-foe Anderson this Friday, Nov. 8 at 7:00 p.m. in Stanford Arena.