HICKORY, N.C.-- The Lenoir-Rhyne Volleyball opened their season in dominating fashion, sweeping Lees-McRae 25-18, 25-16, 25-14 on Friday evening to start their 2025 campaign. This game doubled as Bears' first game game of three in their own Season Opening Invitational.

Kayli Cleaver led the Bears with 15 kills as LR hit .386 during the contest. Emmie Modlin had 8 kills and 17 assists in her first career game in Hickory.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Lenoir-Rhyne 3, Lees-McRae 0 (25-18, 25-16,25-14)
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (1-0), Lees-McRae (0-2)
Location: Shuford Arena I Hickory, N.C.

STATS OF THE MATCH:

• The Bears came out swinging to open the season, hitting .500 in the opening set. They were led by six kills from Kayli Cleaver and five from Addison Vary. 
• Lenoir-Rhyne found their groove in sets two and three, holding the Bobcats to 16 and 14 points respectively. 
• Kayli Cleaver led the Bear with 15 kills on a .517 hitting percentage. 
• Freshman Alicia Barbarito was tops with 19 assists.
• Brooke Aeschliman had seven kills and eight digs.
• LR had seven aces on the night, led by four from Averie Dale.
• Hadley Prince led the way with 12 digs.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• The Bears have now won five straight against Lees-McRae.
• The Bobcats lost a tough five setter against Catawba earlier in the day. 
• The .386 hitting % was the highest in a single game since a 12/2/21 contest against Francis Marion. 
• After 15 kills tonight, Cleaver is three shy of 350 career kills in just her 33rd career game.

UP NEXT: The Bears will have a short turnaround and will face Mount Olive tomorrow morning at 10:00 AM, followed by Florida Tech at 2:00 PM. Florida Tech went 2-0 today with wins over Mount Olive and Catawba.