Lions drop fifth straight in series against Catawba
The Lions were handed their fifth consecutive loss at the hands of the visiting Catawba Indians Friday evening in Stanford Arena by a score of 3-1. Four Lions' players had 10 or more kills in the match.
MARS HILL, N.C. - The Lions were handed their fifth consecutive loss at the hands of the visiting Catawba Indians Friday evening in Stanford Arena by a score of 3-1. Four Lions' players had 10 or more kills in the match.
Falling to 1-5 (0-3 SAC) this season, Mars Hill was down two sets when they roared back into the contest, taking the third, 25-20. Maddie Spurgeon's five kill in the set led the Lions' offense.
The fourth set started with the Indians jumping out to a 4-1 lead from the service of Abby Benton. The teams continued to trade points throughout the middle portion of the set until the Lions were closed out from an 8-3 run that saw Jade Brooks knock down the final kill of the evening.
Catawba took the first two sets, narrowly escaping comeback bids from the Lions. The Indians' offense ran through Rachel Stanford, who had 39 assists on the night. That was a game-high.
The Indians' improve to 3-2 on the season and 1-0 in conference play.
Leading the Lions' offense was Lauren Hochstetler with 12 kills. She was followed by Rebecca Butler and Spurgeon, who each had 11 kills and Sally Anne Johnson ended the night with 10. She has had double-digit kills in all but one contest this season.
Butler shined defensively with 32 digs, second only to Catawba's Allison Benton who had 34 on the evening.
The loss marked the Lions' fifth in the last six contests against the Indians.
Mars Hill will hit the road Tuesday, September 19 to take on Tusculum College before returning home Friday, September 22 where they kick-off a four-game home stand. The contest against the Pioneers is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start time.
