Hickory, N.C. – The Lenoir-Rhyne Volleyball Team (5-11, 3-6) picked up its first home win of the year with a 3-1 triumph over Tusculum (7-7, 4-6) Tuesday night in a South Atlantic Conference match at Shuford Memorial Gymnasium.

The Bears defeated the Pioneers by scores of 25-21, 18-25, 25-22 and 25-16 and snapped a four-match losing streak in the process.

Lenoir-Rhyne freshman outside hitter Katrina Samuels (Blythewood, S.C.) led the way with a match-high 19 kills while sophomore setter Jessica Funk (East Bend, N.C.) added 44 assists and nine digs as the Bears swept the Pioneers in the season series.

Tusculum's Laryssa Welch (New Castle, Ind.) and Rachel Garnett (Cincinnati, Ohio) both finished with 11 kills while Melissa Mazur (Chicago, Ill.) added 36 digs in the losing effort.

In addition, the Pioneers hit just .157 for the match in suffering their third consecutive setback.

Junior libero Ashley Markland (Conover, N.C.) totaled 19 digs for the Bears, who finished with 14 blocks and hit .261 on the night.

In the next round of South Atlantic Conference matches on Friday evening at 7:00 p.m., Lenoir-Rhyne hosts Lincoln Memorial while Tusculum returns home to face Coker.