Hannah Houston of Lenoir-Rhyne University makes a return in Friday’s home match against Wingate. The Bears, in sixth place, have three South Atlantic Conference matches this week, starting with a visit on Tuesday night from Mars Hill./LRU PHOTO
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HICKORY – Lenoir-Rhyne University goes into next week — when it has three South Atlantic Conference (SAC) matches – in sixth place in volleyball.
Unbeaten Wingate downed the host Bears 3-1 on Friday night and LRU defeated Coker earlier in the week, snapping a three-game losing streak.
LRU’s next action is Tuesday at 7 p.m. at home against Mars Hill in a league match. The Bears are at Catawba on Friday (7 p.m.) and at Queens (2 p.m.) on Saturday in conference matches.
Wingate 3, LRU 1 (Friday)
The Bulldogs remained undefeated (18-0) and improved to 12-0 in the SAC by beating the Bears (13-7, 7-6).
LRU had early leads in all four sets before the Bulldogs rallied to win and stay ahead of Anderson, S.C (12-2) in the league standings.
The Bears led 4-1 in each of the first two sets, were up 7-2 in the third set and scored the first six points of the fourth set.
LRU led 24-21 in the second set before the Bulldogs scored five straight points.
The Bears won the third set 25-17.
Angelica Arroyo led LRU with 15 kills and 10 digs while Hannah Houston provided 10 kills. Houston led a 6-0 run in the third set by the Bears with three straight service aces.
Phoebe Havenaar led Wingate with a match-high 18 kills and Rachel Alles had 48 assists and 13 digs.
Wingate is one of only two unbeaten teams left in the nation.
LRU 3, Coker 0 (Thursday)
LRU improved to 6-1 at home by winning an SAC match.
The Bears built an 18-9 lead in the first set before Coker rallied to tie it 23-all. LRU then scored two points to win the set and won 25-19, 25-15 to complete the sweep.
Jaclyn Denny, Houston and Taylor Prall each finished with nine kills for LRU.
Freshman Helen Hamilton recorded a double-double with 33 assists and 10 digs and freshman Ashley Hawkins had a career-high five service aces.
The Bears have won 3-0 in five of their six home matches this season.
— Reported by LRU Sports Information