GREENEVILLE, Tenn. — The Tusculum University women’s volleyball team split the season series with Mars Hill behind a sweep in Pioneer Arena on Tuesday (Oct. 20) night. The victory puts TU two losses clear of a three-way tie for fourth in the SAC standings.
The Pioneers (13-6, 10-5 SAC) swept the Lions (12-12, 6-9 SAC) by scores of 25-21, 25-23, 25-15. This marks the first time since 2023 that the teams have needed just three sets to record a result.
Morgan Yoder led MHU with seven kills, while Alyssa Kornegay dished out 24 assists. Yoder also tallied four service aces. Defensively, Ioana Poenaru scooped up 14 digs, as Megan Lee Prezio was credited with three total blocks.
Mackenzie Land finished with a match-best 12 kills, just ahead of 11 by Addison McLarty and 10 from Adreana Lee. Rounding out the scoring were Karris Oller (5), Gracie Hibdon (4), and Jordan Moore (3). Hibdon distributed 33 assists, while the aces were added by Oller and Maggie Kane. Libero Mary Katherine Hall notched 20 digs, with Hibdon recording her double-double 15 digs and Sadie Roach scooping up 13. At the net, McLarty and Oller were both credited with four blocks.
Mars Hill hit .029 as a team with 29 kills and 25 errors on 139 total attempts. Tusculum hit .232 with 45 kills, 13 errors, and 138 total attacks. The Pioneers led the match in assists (42-29), digs (73-68), and total blocks (9-4), while the Lions landed more service aces (7-2).
Tusculum established control in the opening set, using timely kills and strong net play to pull away late after a competitive start. Mars Hill stayed within striking distance, but the Pioneers closed out the set 25-21.
The second set proved to be the most closely contested of the match. Mars Hill used a strong serving stretch from Morgan Yoder, who recorded three consecutive service aces, to build momentum and take a late lead. Tusculum responded under pressure to tie the score at 21-21. The Pioneers then rallied from a 23-21 deficit, winning the final four points, to secure a 25-23 victory and take a commanding two-set lead.
Tusculum dominated the third set to complete the sweep. After Mars Hill briefly kept the score close, the Pioneers broke an 11-10 lead open with a decisive run, then continued to extend their advantage. Tusculum’s attack became increasingly effective, producing 19 kills on 43 attempts with just two errors in the final set. The Pioneers closed out the match with a 25-15 win.
Tusculum stays home to host league-leading Anderson on Friday (Oct. 23) at 6 p.m. The Trojans are currently receiving votes in the national poll.
