HARROGATE, Tenn. — Tusculum University women’s volleyball opened South Atlantic Conference (SAC) play on Tuesday (Sept. 9) night, falling at Lincoln Memorial in straight-sets.
The Pioneers (2-3, 0-1 SAC) fell to the Railsplitters (3-2, 1-0 SAC) by scores of 25-22, 25-22, 26-24.
Kaytlin Johnson tallied 16 kills on a .438 hitting percentage, while setters Carley Raleigh (18) and Lauren Pickett (14) combined for 32 assists. At the line, Sarah Robbins landed two service aces. Defensively, Lauren Jacob scooped up 19 digs and Jazmine Starks was credited with two solo blocks.
Nine Pioneers recorded at least one kill in the loss: Jaida Alvin (9), Karris Oller (8), Mackenzie Land (6), Adreana Lee (5), Jordyn Roderick (4), Breana Pelbath (4), Taylor Sanders (2), Victoria Church (1), and Isabella Bianchin (1). Victoria Church and Solene Roussel were responsible for 16 and 12 assists, respectively. Sanders was tagged with two aces, while Land added 10 digs. At the net, Pelbath had a hand in both Tusculum blocks.
Lincoln Memorial hit .271 as a team with 41 kills and 12 errors on 107 total attempts. Tusculum hit .204 with 40 kills, 18 errors, and 108 total attacks. The Railsplitters led the Pioneers in assists (37-36), service aces (7-5), digs (44-43), and total blocks (3-2).
Tusculum hosts a tri-match on Friday, September 12, dubbed the Pioneer Invitational. TU takes on Montevallo at noon and Southern Wesleyan at 7 p.m., with the neutral match set for 4 p.m.
