Mars Hill felled by Queens in SAC Quarterfinals
The Mars Hill volleyball team (5-5) was defeated in four sets by Queens (7-4) in South Atlantic Conference Quarterfinal action Tuesday evening.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Mars Hill volleyball team (5-5) was defeated in four sets by Queens (7-4) in South Atlantic Conference Quarterfinal action Tuesday evening.
Queens, trailing 3-2 in the first set, reeled off six of the next eight points, taking an 8-4 lead early on. They built their lead to as many as seven until the Lions began a comeback midway through the first. Trailing 17-10, Mars Hill went on a 9-2 run to tie the game at 19, capped off by a kill from Kelly Jakaitis. Grace Lilly had two kills during the run.
The Royals responded with a 6-2 run to take the first set. They hit .255 in the first frame to the Lions' .030. Casey Tarvin knocked down seven of her game-high 19 kills in the frame.
Mars Hill opened the second set on an 8-3 run, but a kill from Lindsay Elmore switched momentum as the Royals responded with an 8-1 run to lead 11-9. The teams never were able to create separation for the remainder of the set with no team gaining more than a two-point advantage. A kill from Sarah Goddard put the Lions up 23-22 late, but Olivia Williamson tied the game with a kill of her own. Goddard and Jana Cuk came in clutch for the Lions, recording kills to claim the set. The Lions hit a team-best .200 in the second.
In a mirror image to the second set, the Lions jumped out to an 8-3 lead before Queens rallied to tie the game at nine. Later in the set, tied at 20, Queens went on a 3-0 run to put pressure on the Lions. A service error provided the Royals three set points, however Lilly was able to chip one away with a kill. Tarvin pulled through for the Royals, taking the 2-1 lead into the fourth.
Queens ran away with the final set late, ending the game on a 7-2 run. They hit a game-high .277 to secure the win.
Tarvin collected the double-double with 19 kills and 25 digs. JayCee Jones added 25 digs. Logan Witt hit .517 on the night with 16 kills while Chanel Turner added 10.
Lilly led the Lions with 14 kills and added 14 digs for the double-double. Cuk knocked down 13 kills and hit a team-high .267. Goddard collected 11 kills and 10 digs for the double-double. Ully Martins led all players with 33 digs.
