Lions Continue Impressive Play With Four Set Win at Lenoir Rhyne

HICKORY, N.C. – The Mars Hill women's volleyball team picked up its second consecutive South Atlantic Conference win, downing Lenoir Rhyne 3-1 on Friday, October 21. The Lions improved to 5-15 overall and 4-9 in the conference, while LR dropped to 7-14 overall and 5-9 in the league.

Mary Kate Griffin posted a season-high 17 kills to go with 11 digs to pace the Lions on the evening. Lauren Hochstetler also collected a double-double with 14 kills and 11 digs. Sara Fahrenbrook produced a season and game-high 50 assists over the four sets, while Victoria Kaiser collected 29 digs.

LR jumped out the gate strong in set one, tallying a 10-3 lead early. However, the Lions used a 10-3 run of its own to knot the set at 13-all. The teams traded the next 12 points before Mars Hill used a 6-4 burst to capture set one 25-23.

The Bears were the aggressor to start the second set as well, but once again Mars Hill kept its poise and turned the set into an all-out battle. With the set tied at 24, MHU used an error and an Elizabeth Kaesar service ace to take a commanding 2-0 match lead.

Lenoir Rhyne did away with the sweep with a convincing 25-12 set three win. However, Mars Hill, not wanting to go to a fifth set, came out firing in the fourth. After jumping out to a 12-7 lead the Bears fought back to lock the set at 16 and eventually take a lead at 17-16. That lead would be short-lived as the Lions reeled off three in a row and never looked back on their way to a 25-20 set and 3-1 match win.

The Lions will hit the road once more tomorrow as they travel to Brevard to take on the Tornado in a pivotal SAC matchup. First serve is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.