Kaeser collects 100th career ace in match versus Lenoir-Rhyne

HICKORY, N.C. - The Mars Hill volleyball team (14-7, 8-5 SAC) were swept on the road by Lenoir-Rhyne (14-7, 8-6 SAC) Tuesday evening.

After leading for a majority of the first set, the Lions were unable to stop the Bears' momentum late in the set.  Trailing 20-16, the Bears would go on to win the next nine points and take the first set, 25-20.  Taylor Prall had three kills and three blocks in the frame while Kelly Jakaitis and Maddie Spurgeon each had two kills and one block.

In a reverse of the first set, the Lions trailed for a majority of the second set, but were able to tie the game at 20-all and would go up 21-20 on the following point.  The lead was short-lived as Lenoir-Rhyne took five of the next seven points to go up 2-0 entering the third set.  Sarah Goddard had a set-high six kills.

The Lions jumped out to a 3-1 lead early in the first, but the Bears would answer with their own 3-1 run to tie the game at four.  They would then take nine of the next 11 points to go up 13-6.  Their lead would hold true throughout the set, despite a late pushing Lions team.  Mars Hill, trailing 20-11, won four of the next five points to pull within five.  Lenoir-Rhyne won the final four points, three of which were kills from Prall.

Prall led all players with 14 kills and added 15 digs.  Angelica Arroyo also had a double-double with 13 kills and 13 digs.  Helen Hamilton had a game-high 39 assists.

Goddard paced the Lions' offense with seven kills and added two blocks.  Elizabeth Kaeser had six kills and 10 digs.  Her two aces set a career-high (30) and put her over the 100 career mark.  Ully Martins led all players with 17 digs.

Mars Hill travels to Charlotte to take on Queens on Friday, October 19th.  First serve is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.