ANDERSON, S.C. – The Anderson University volleyball team overcame a slow start and wrapped up its regular-season home slate with a five-set, 3-2 (21-25, 25-15, 25-14, 27-29, 15-9) win over Lenoir-Rhyne in South Atlantic Conference action, Friday night at the Abney Athletic Center.
"We will take the win and be happy with it, however, there is so much that we as a team still need to improve upon," said Anderson head coach Todd Hay. "Our ability to sustain a high level of play throughout the entire match is not there right now, but hopefully we can find it this coming week. Thank you to our friends and families here supporting us. Your presence is much appreciated."
Anderson (5-2, 5-2 SAC) won its fifth straight decision, while handing the Bears their first loss in four matches. Lenoir-Rhyne slipped to 5-4 overall and 5-4 in conference action.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Junior outside hitter Maya Learmonth led the Trojans with 16 kills on the night, with senior Regan Duty, freshman Tabitha Wheeler and junior Noelle Knutsen each adding 11 kills apiece. Wheeler added 11 digs for a double-double. Junior setter Madison Roy posted a double-double with 49 assists and 18 digs, with sophomore Alexandra Petrilli coming up with a match-high 24 digs and firing off three service aces. Junior Meghan DeVaux added 12 digs and sophomore Lindsay McCurley posted 11 digs. Junior middle blocker Neely Shugart notched four block assists.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
The Trojans were unable to overcome seven attack errors in the opening set and hit just .027, which enabled Lenoir-Rhyne to break away from an early 5-5 deadlock and double up AU, 16-8.
Following a timeout, the Trojans reeled off five straight points to get within three, and climbed within three four more times before getting as close as 23-21 on a kill by Knutsen before the Bears claimed the three-point win.
Second Set
The Trojans bounced back to hit .387 in the second frame, while rolling out to a 12-5 advantage on a service ace by Roy. AU continued the pressure and built a double-digit, 20-10, cushion en route to the 10-point victory.
Third Set
AU was even hotter offensively in the third set with a .440 hitting percentage. The Trojans cruised out to a 17-7 lead and maintained at least a seven-point cushion the rest of the way.
Fourth Set
The fourth set saw seven tie scores before Learmonth sparked a 9-3 run that snapped a 15-15 deadlock that put the Trojans on the verge of a four-set win. But Lenoir-Rhyne held off match point six straight times and eventually pulled out the comeback victory, 29-27.
Fifth Set
The Trojans maintained their composure and pushed out to a 9-5 advantage before closing the set on a 6-4 run.
STAT OF THE NIGHT
AU has won nine straight against the Bears.
NOTABLES
• Lenoir-Rhyne slipped to 1-3 on the road this season.
• The Trojans and Bears have met 25 times in the overall series that dates back to the 1999 campaign, with AU holding a 15-10 advantage.
• Madison Roy has four double-doubles on the season.
• Tabitha Wheeler has four double-doubles on the season.
• Regan Duty has reached double-figure kills in four of the last five matches.
• Maya Learmonth has reached double-figure kills in four straight matches.
• Alexandra Petrilli has reached double-figure digs six times this season.
• Lindsay McCurley has reached double figure digs in four matches this season.
• Meghan DeVaux has reached double figure digs four times.
UP NEXT
The Trojans wrap up the regular season with a two-match road swing, beginning at Lincoln Memorial on Friday, April 2. First-serve in Harrogate, Tenn., is set for 7 p.m.
