Lions, Pioneers clash in five-set thriller
Ioana Poenaru sets career-high with 18 kills in five-set thriller on the road.
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. - The Mars Hill volleyball team (4-6, 2-2 SAC) was defeated in five sets at the hands of Tusculum (5-6, 3-0 SAC) Tuesday night on the road.
Tusculum, down two sets to one and 20-13 late in the fourth set went on to win 12 of the next 15 points to force a decisive fifth set. They hit a team-high .280 while recording a team-high 17 kills in the frame.
The teams traded points back and forth until the Lions led 7-6. Tusculum used a 3-0 run to build enough of a lead to hold off the Lions. Another 4-0 run late in the set secured the come from behind win for the Pioneers.
Despite opening the match down 6-0 in the first set, Mars Hill rallied to take the first frame by a score of 25-23. Trailing 14-9, Mars Hill one nine of the next 10 points to go up 18-15. Trading points down the stretch, the Lions eventually closed out the set on a 4-0 run with two kills off the hands of Ioana Poenaru.
After tying the match at one set apiece, Tusculum dropped the third set. Mars Hill hit a match-high .311, posting 17 kills on 45 attempts with just three errors. The Lions took the frame, 25-16 to enter the fourth up 2-1.
Martina Foster and Poenaru led their respective teams with 18 kills. Poenaru set a new career-high with the 18 kills. She added 16 digs for the double-double. Katilyn Grant added 11 kills and three blocks while Jada Cannon collected a double-double with 10 kills and 20 digs.
Laela Jimenez led all players with 36 digs while both Mackenzie Schmucker (19 assists and 16 digs) and Alyssa Kornegay (25 assitst and 11 digs) each posted double-doubles.
Mars Hill returns to the court on Friday, September 27 when they face Catawba on the road. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
