HICKORY, N.C. - The Tusculum Pioneers came to Hickory and swept Lenoir-Rhyne for their second win over the Bears this year.
This was the first time Lenoir-Rhyne has been swept at home since also dropping a 3-0 match to Tusculum on November 4th, 2023.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Tusculum 3, Lenoir-Rhyne 0 (25-22, 25-18, 25-17)
Records: Tusculum (15-7, 12-6 SAC), Lenoir-Rhyne (14-9, 12-7 SAC)
Location: Hickory, N.C. | Shuford Arena
STORY OF THE MATCH:
- The Bears jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the opening set.
- Tusculum fought back and with the set tied at 22-22, closed on a 3-0 run to take the opening set.
- Leading 12-11, the Pioneers went on an 11-2 run to put the set away.
- The middle of the third set was the Bears downfall, allowed a 9-2 run to turn a two point lead into a three point deficit.
- Tusculum scored the final six points of the set to pick up the sweep.
STATS OF THE MATCH:
- Averie Dale finished with nine kills on a .400 hitting percentage.
- Julie Donato led with 16 assists while Camden Pasour was tops with 10 digs.
- Tusculum hit .310 in the match, the highest mark the Bears have allowed all season.
- Lenoir-Rhyne hit .255 in the match, their highest mark in a loss all year.
- The Bears only had nine attack errors, compared to 14 for Tusculum.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
- Tusculum lead the all-time series 37-28.
- Averie Dale jumped into seventh all-time on Lenoir-Rhyne's career block list with 332.
- The Bears now sit at third in the SAC standings, just behind Tusculum and just ahead of Carson-Newman.
UP NEXT: Lenoir-Rhyne will travel to Newberry on Friday for the Bears' final road game of the regular season. The Wolves are 14-11 (7-11 SAC) and fell to Tusculum 3-1 last Saturday. First serve is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
