Hickory, N.C. - The Lenoir-Rhyne University?Volleyball Team (4-3, 1-0) opened South Atlantic Conference play with a 3-2 victory over Newberry College?(5-5, 0-1) Friday night at Shuford Memorial Gymnasium.

The Bears won by scores of 25-20, 25-23, 19-25, 19-25 and 15-12 as Lenoir-Rhyne prevailed in its 2012 home opener.

L-R sophomore outside hitter Haley Rhyne (Statesville, N.C.) led the way with a match-high 16 kills to go along with 11 digs as the Bears won their fourth straight contest after starting the year with three defeats.

Freshman outside hitter Morgan Bunker (Mount Airy, N.C.) added 13 kills and 19 digs and senior setter Meredith Lutz (Newton, N.C.) dished out 47 assists as the Bears finished with 19 total blocks in the win.

For Newberry, Samantha Parrish (Angola, Ind.) and Lauren Prachar (Fort Wayne, Ind.) tallied 15 and 14 kills, respectively, and Blair Browning (New Lexington, Ohio) totaled 45 assists in the setback.

Newberry, who rallied from a 2-0 deficit to tie the contest,?also lost despite 11 service aces in the match.

Lenoir-Rhyne remains at home to face Anderson in a league contest Saturday afternoon?at 2 p.m., while Newberry plays at SAC-foe Brevard on Saturday beginning at 2 p.m., as well.