HICKORY, NC - Revenge is a dish best served cold. After falling 3-0 to Tusculum in their final game of the regular season, the Lenoir-Rhyne Volleyball team swept the Pioneers 3-0 in the first round of the SAC Tournament. With the win the Bears advance to the semifinals in Rock Hill, South Carolina, at the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Lenoir-Rhyne 3, Tusculum 0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-16)
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (24-5, 14-4 SAC), Tusculum (13-14, 11-7 SAC)
Location: Shuford Arena | Hickory, NC

STATS OF THE MATCH:

• The Bears controlled this one early, going up 7-3 on their Tennessee counterparts. 
• Tusculum eventually tied the game at 16-16.
• Lenoir-Rhyne then pulled away thanks to a 7-1 run, helped in part by three straight aces from Brooke Aeschliman.
• A Kathy Peter kill sealed the win.
• The Pioneers led set two 19-18 late. 
• A Jenna Vogen kill fueled a 7-1 LR run to win the game.
• Lenoir-Rhyne controlled set three early, going up 14-8 on a kill by Aeschliman.
• Tusculum had five errors near the end of the set, which ended on yet another kill from Aeschliman.
• Kathy Peter led with nine kills, followed by Kayli Cleaver (8) and Brooke Aeschliman (8).
• Rachel Wildermuch and Ella Scott combined for 37 assists.
• Aeschliman notched a career high six aces in the game.
• Cleaver and Averie Dale combined for 11 blocks. 

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• This was Lenoir-Rhyne's 18th sweep of the season.
• This was the Bear's first win over the Pioneers in exactly three years.
• LR's 10 aces were tied for their second most in a game all season.
• This is LR's second straight trip to the SAC semifinals.

UP NEXT: Lenoir-Rhyne will now travel to Rock Hill, South Carolina, for a semi-final matchup with the Anderson Trojans. The teams split this season, with each team winning on their opponent's home floor. Anderson took down #6 seed Lincoln Memorial 3-1 earlier tonight. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center.