Hickory, N.C. – The Lenoir-Rhyne Volleyball Team (6-12, 4-7) pulled out a 3-2 South Atlantic Conference win over Carson-Newman (2-13, 2-9) Saturday evening at Shuford Memorial Gymnasium.

The Bears defeated the Eagles by scores of 25-18, 25-17, 19-25, 20-25 and 15-13.  This was a rematch of last year's regional championship in Aiken, S.C.

Lenoir-Rhyne junior middle blocker Emily Steele (Greenville, N.C.) finished with a team-high 17 kills while sophomore setter Jessica Funk (East Bend, N.C.) added a double-double – 50 assists and 15 digs – in the victory.

For Carson-Newman, Abbie McFarlane (McKinney, Texas) led the way with a match-high 22 kills and Anna Patton (Franklin, Tenn.) totaled 49 assists and seven digs in the losing effort. 

The Eagles were hurt by 13 service errors in the contest.

Lenoir-Rhyne senior right side hitter Brandi Thomas (Wilmington, N.C.) added 12 kills and junior defensive specialist Ashley Markland (Conover, N.C.) finished with 25 digs in the win.

Lenoir-Rhyne next travels to Charlotte, N.C., to take on Queens in a South Atlantic Conference match on Friday night at 7:00 p.m., while Carson-Newman hosts the SAC/Peach Belt Challenge next weekend beginning on Friday at Noon against Lander.