Lions open season with thrilling five-set win over NGU
TIGERVILLE, S.C. - The Mars Hill volleyball team (1-0) opened their 2025 season with a thrilling five-set win over North Greenville (0-1) on day one of the Trailblazer Invitational, hosted by North Greenville, on Friday afternoon.
Despite the Trailblazers' 11 kills in the final frame, the Lions took advantage of seven errors to take the final frame, 18-16.
Mars Hill took the first set by a score of 25-19, hitting .231 as a team. North Greenville responded by taking both sets two and three by scores of 25-22 and 26-24, respectively. The Trailblazers hit a team-high .270 in the third frame.
The Lions responded by dominating the fourth set. Mars Hill hit a match-high .424 as a team with 14 kills on 33 attempts, registering no errors.
Ioana Poenaru led all players with 19 kills while racking up 14 digs for the double-double. She hit a match-high .391 with just one error on 46 swings. Jenna Rosenbaum, in her Lions' debut, added 14 kills and 14 digs for the double-double.
Laela Jimenez added 11 digs and a team-high five service aces. Mackenzie Schmucker led the Lions with 23 assists followed by 13 from Alyssa Kornegay.
Mars Hill takes on both Fayetteville State and West Alabama on Saturday, Sept. 6 on day two of the Trailblazer Invitational. First serve is set for 10:30 a.m.
