HICKORY, N.C. –  Facing a 2-1 deficit, the Lenoir-Rhyne Volleyball Team stormed back and forced a deciding set. However, despite a 13-10 lead in the fifth set, the Bears fell to a late Tusculum rally and a 16-14 result in the final stanza.  

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Tusculum 3, Lenoir-Rhyne 2
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (14-9, 9-6 SAC) | Tusculum (11-10, 9-7 SAC)
Location: Hickory, N.C. | Shuford Gym

STATS OF THE MATCH:
•   Emiah Burrowes led the Pioneers with a game-high 22 kills and Gabby Gray added 17 for the visitors. 
•   Taylor Prall was the leader for LR, finishing with 19 kills and 12 digs for her ninth double-double of the season. The junior also registered a season-high five aces. 
•   Colette Romp had a career-high 19 kills and .333 hitting percentage and fellow freshmen Emily Jordan came off the bench to produce nine kills. 
•   Jackie Denny had eight kills and a .636 hitting percentage and Alexis Ivey recorded 10 total blocks. 
•   Ashley Hawkins had 24 digs and Rachel Bewick added 15, while Helen Hamilton dished out 32 assists.
•   The Bears had leads of 10-6 and 13-10 in the fifth set but a late Tusculum surge evened the frame at 14 before the visitors took the final two points and grabbed the win. 

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
•    Tusculum now owns the all-important tiebreaker with the Bears thanks to a season sweep of LR. This marks the first time since 2014 TC took the season series from LR.
•    The 13 team aces ranks as the second-most in a match this season. The Bears had 15 aces against Francis Marion on Sept. 6. 
•    Prall has now topped 300 kills on the season, setting a new career high. She becomes the first player in three years to record over 300 kills in a season. 

UP NEXT:
The Bears return to action on Tuesday night when they host Carson-Newman at 7 p.m.