Wednesday, October 31, 2007

TUSCULUM EDGES LMU 3-2 IN SAC VOLLEYBALL

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tusculum College volleyball team won the first two games, but had to hold off a furious rally by visiting Lincoln Memorial University to post a 3-2 South Atlantic Conference win Wednesday night at Pioneer Arena. Tusculum (22-9, 10-3 SAC) won the match by scores of 30-16, 30-22, 27-30, 25-30, 17-15.

The 10 SAC wins establishes a new school record for the Pioneers and completes the season sweep over the Lady Railsplitters (19-13, 5-7 SAC). TC also solidifies its second place position, which would be its best finish ever on the SAC since joining the conference in 1998.

Vivian Lacy led the Tusculum charge with 24 kills and 18 digs, while Gina Coffaro and Kelsey Hayden added a dozen kills each. Alexis Rowles added 23 digs and a pair of serving aces. Tusculum finished the evening with a season-best 14 aces in the win, including one by Rowles late in the fifth game, squaring the deciding set at 14-14. Setter Mariana Rezende dished out 59 assists to go along with seven digs.

LMU's Amanda Baker finished with 12 kills, while Amanda Horenkamp tallied a double-double with 11 kills and 17 digs. Caitlyn Hankins posted eight kills and a solid .571 hitting percentage for the visitors. Ashley Knight contributed 10 kills, while Alison Hess added nine kills and a match-high 11 blocks (2 solos, 9 assists). Setter Lauren Kiwacka completed her double-double with 45 assists and 10 digs.

Tusculum will play its final league match of the year on Friday when the Pioneers travel to Lenoir-Rhyne College. LMU will be at Wingate on Saturday for a 6 p.m. contest.

- TC -