Volleyball Defeats UNC Pembroke
Mars Hill closes out the Newberry Invitational with a 3-1 victory over UNC Pembroke
NEWBERRY, S.C. - The Mars Hill volleyball team wrapped up the Newberry Invitational with a 3-1 victory over UNC Pembroke at Eleazer Arena on Saturday afternoon. The Lions won by scores of 25-18, 25-20, 20-25 and 25-20. Mars Hill is 2-2 while UNC Pembroke falls to 1-3.
Lauren Hochstetler led the Lions with 17 kills, followed by Maddie Spurgeon with 11 kills. Rebecca Butler had 19 kills to lead Mars Hill, followed by 17 kills from Victoria Kaiser and 15 from Hochstetler.
Nicole Mathews had 12 kills with Brittani Jefferson adding 10 kills to lead the Braves. Ka'Asha Jefferies had a match-high 28 digs.
With the opening set tied at 13, Mars Hill went on an 8-1 run to take a 21-14 lead. UNC Pembroke cut the Lion lead to 21-17 before a Butler kill, a Brave error and an Elizabeth Kaeser service ace gave the Lions a 24-17 lead.
Mars Hill went on a 14-4 run in the second set to take a 20-8 lead. The Braves battled back to pull within five points, 23-18, before the Lions closed out the set with a Hochstetler kill.
After a Lion error gave UNC Pembroke a 16-15 lead in the third set, the Braves pushed their lead to a set-high five points (23-18) as the Braves claimed a 25-20 victory in the third set.
The Lions enjoyed a seven point lead for the early part of the fourth set before stretching the lead to 21-12. UNC Pembroke didn't quit as the Braves cut the Lion lead to 24-20 before a Hochstetler kill ended the match.
Mars Hill begins South Atlantic Conference play on Friday at Coker. First serve is schedule for 7 p.m.
