HICKORY, N.C. - The Lenoir-Rhyne volleyball team opened conference play with a 3-1 victory over UVA Wise on Friday. This game also doubled as the Bears' home opener.
Leading the way was
Rachael Chambers, who set a new career best with 18 kills and six blocks.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Lenoir-Rhyne 3, UVA Wise (27-25, 25-23, 21-25, 25-19)
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (3-2, 1-0 SAC), UVA Wise (1-3, 0-1 SAC)
Location: Hickory, N.C. | Shuford Arena
STORY OF THE MATCH:
- The Cavaliers jumped on the Bears early, going up 7-3 in the opening set.
- Lenoir-Rhyne battled back, using a 6-1 run midway through the set to go up 17-15.
- A huge Ella Scott block won the first set 27-25 in favor of Lenoir-Rhyne.
- Set two was a back-and-forth battle as neither team led by more than one point until the Bears took a 15-13 lead.
- UVA Wise led late, but a rally from LR, a Rachael Chambers kill, and a Sydney Karjala ace sealed the set victory.
- The Cavaliers controlled the third set, winning 25-21.
- Lenoir-Rhyne quickly forgot about that third set and went up 13-6 in the fourth.
- Averie Dale capped off the win with a kill and block for the 24th and 25th points of the set.
STATS OF THE MATCH:
- Rachael Chambers led the way with 18 kills on a .353 attack %.
- Emmaleigh Allen was just behind Chambers with 18 kills on a season-high .455 hit %.
- Alicia Barbarito was tops with 29 assists while Avery Meide led with 18 digs.
- Chambers had six total blocks while Averie Dale had four.
- Lenoir-Rhyne hit a season-best .309 in the match. UVA Wise wasn't far behind at .306.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
- UVA Wise head coach Alexis Ivey played at Lenoir-Rhyne from 2016-19, leading the team in blocks her senior year.
- Emmaleigh Allen sits at 939 kills for her career.
- The Bears are 11-0 all-time against the Cavaliers.
UP NEXT: Lenoir-Rhyne will travel to Mars Hill on Friday, September 16, for a matchup with the Lions. First serve is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
