ANDERSON, S.C. – The Anderson University volleyball team wrapped up its four-match homestand by knocking off Newberry, 3-1 (25-22, 21-25, 25-15, 25-15) in South Atlantic Conference play Tuesday night at the Abney Athletic Center.

"We were happy to get the win tonight but there are definitely some things that we need to work on," said Anderson head coach Todd Hay. "Right now our consistency is lacking and our execution on offense is up-and-down. I believe that we have a championship caliber team but we have to put it all together in a consistent fashion to make it work. Newberry showed more heart and determination for most of the match and that is something we seem to lack at times. We will need to mentally prepare well over the next two days for our upcoming trip to Tennessee."

Anderson (16-3, 12-2 SAC) won its fourth straight contest and has claimed wins in 14 of its last 15 decisions, while Newberry (4-15, 2-12 SAC) suffered its seventh consecutive setback and has dropped 10 of its last 11 outings.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Junior Regan Duty and sophomore Noelle Knutsen shared match-high honors with 11 kills apiece, with the duo combining for five block assists on the night. Senior Hailee Wilhelm added nine kills and three block assists, while senior setter Emily Conlin recorded a double-double with 40 assists and a dozen digs. Freshman Lindsay McCurley posted 13 digs, while junior Christina Stacy tallied eight and Maya Learmonth notched seven. Stacy and McCurley each posted three service aces in the win.

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
The Trojans never trailed in the opening frame, but with Newberry posting a .303 hitting percentage, AU was unable to build more than a five-point lead throughout the set.

AU broke an early 2-2 deadlock and pushed out to a 7-4 edge, but the Wolves stayed within striking distance and trimmed the Trojans advantage to just one on seven occasions – the final time at 19-18 – before AU used a 5-1 spurt to reach set point, at 24-19.

Newberry responded with three consecutive points, but Duty's fourth kill of the night sealed the win.

Second Set
Newberry scored the first six points of the second frame behind freshman Avery Webb's four aces and the Trojans were unable to completely recover from the early deficit.

AU chipped away and climbed to within two on five occasions before closing within 19-18 on an error by the Wolves. But the Trojans couldn't overtake Newberry and the visitors pushed by out to a late five-point lead before taking the win.

Third Set
Duty, Wilhelm and Learmonth combined for seven kills in the third set and behind the balanced attack, the Trojans bolted out to an 8-4 lead and never trailed while maintaining at least a three-point margin before winning by double figures.

Fourth Set
The Trojans posted a .280 hitting percentage for the second consecutive set and steadily built a double-digit, 15-5, cushion. Newberry closed within six points twice but could get no closer than 20-14 before AU settled for its second straight double-figure decision.

STAT OF THE GAME
The 11 service aces by Newberry were a season-high by an opponent this season.

NOTABLES
• Emily Conlin has recorded 11 double-doubles this season.
• AU improved to 8-1 in four-set matches this season.
• The Trojans own a 20-8 record in the overall series with Newberry.
• AU has won 12 of the last 13 meetings with the Wolves, including five straight.
• Noelle Knutsen has notched double-figure kills in four of AU's last six contests and has averaged more than nine kills per contest over the last six outings
• Regan Duty has notched double-figure kills in four of the last six matches, while averaging nearly 10 kills per game over the six-match span.
• Lindsay McCurley leads the Trojans in digs, while recording double-figure digs 13 times, including the last six matches.

UP NEXT
Anderson will get back on the court Friday, when the Trojans visit Carson-Newman. First-serve at Holt Fieldhouse in Jefferson City, Tenn. is scheduled for 7 p.m.