HICKORY, N.C. – In the second night of back-to-back matches, the Lenoir-Rhyne Volleyball Team was on the wrong end of a 3-0 decision against Mars Hill. The Lions, playing in their season opener, handled the Bears 25-21, 25-21 and 25-20.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Mars Hill 3, Lenoir-Rhyne 0
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (1-1, 1-1 SAC) | Mars Hill (1-0, 1-0 SAC)
Location: Shuford Gym

STATS OF THE MATCH:

• Taylor Prall led the Bears with 16 kills, more than half of the teams 31 kills on the night. Prall added 10 digs for her second straight double-double.
• Mars Hill used a balanced offense with six players recording at least six kills led by 10 from Jana Cuk. Defensively, four Lions recorded double digits in kills led by 15 apiece from Jordan Schmucker and Ully Martins.
• Mars Hill held a 44-31 advantage in kills and 70-61 edge in digs.
• For the second straight match. Braelyn Faust added four total blocks for LR.
• Helen Hamilton had 20 assists and Ashley Hawkins had a team-high 17 digs.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Prall nearly set the school and conference record in the home match between LR and Mars Hill last year as she tallied 30 kills against the Lions
• Lenoir-Rhyne owns the all-time series 52-31 but have won 32 of the last 41 matchups between the two
• With her 16 kills, Prall is now 25 away for 1,000 on her career.
• This marked the first of two back-to-backers for Lenoir-Rhyne. They will host Carson-Newman and Lincoln Memorial on March 19 and 20 

UP NEXT:  The Bears will return to action on Tuesday when they travel to Wingate at 7 p.m.