Lenoir-Rhyne, Presbyterian Claim SAC Regular Season Championship With Sweep Of Mars Hill, 3-0
Lenoir-Rhyne wins first regular season title
November 2, 2004

Courtesy Lenoir-Rhyne College, Presbyterian College Sports Information Offices

Hickory, N.C. - The Lenoir-Rhyne College Volleyball Team clinched at least a share of its first-ever South Atlantic Conference Regular Season Championship with a 3-0 sweep of Mars Hill College Tuesday evening at Shuford Gymnasium in Hickory, N.C. The Bears, who cruised to victory by scores of 30-17, 30-20 and 30-11, improved to 24-6 on the year and 12-2 in league play while the Lions fell to 14-16 and 4-10, respectively. Lenoir-Rhyne, under second-year mentor Dave Markland, also won its most games since the 1978 season.

L-R was in control throughout the contest and was led by junior outside hitter Leslie Hinkle (High Point, N.C./Ledford HS). Hinkle notched her 14th straight double-double with 11 kills and 13 digs while freshman setter Lauren McLelland (Statesville, N.C./West Iredell HS) added 44 assists. Junior outside hitter Brittany Parkhill (Hendersonville, N.C./East Henderson HS) added a double-double (10 kills and 11 digs) as well and senior middle blocker Rebekah Steinlin (Columbia, S.C./Ridge View HS) chipped with 11 kills for the Bears.

Lenoir-Rhyne hosts Pfeiffer on Senior Night next Monday, November 8, at 7 p.m., while Mars Hill next competes in the quarterfinals of 2004 Food Lion SAC Tournament Wednesday, November 10.

CLINTON, S.C. - Presbyterian College junior middle blocker Jasmin Brown (Alpharetta, Ga.) tallied 12 kills and five total blocks to lead the Lady Blue Hose to a 30-15, 30-13, 30-12 victory over the visiting Indians of Newberry College in South Atlantic Conference (SAC) volleyball action Tuesday night at the Ross E. Templeton Center.

The win secured a share of PC's second straight SAC regular season championship with a 12-2 league mark. PC will share the title with Lenoir-Rhyne College is the Bears win the SAC finale against Mars Hill College tonight. The Lady Blue Hose improve to 24-7 on the season and will be the top seed in next week's 2004 Food Lion/SAC Tournament held at Newberry, S.C. and hosted by Newberry College.

Newberry College finishes the SAC regular season with a 3-11 mark and falls to 8-18 on the season.

PC's junior outside hitter Erin Friday (Summerville, S.C.) tallied 17 kills, 11 digs, and three total blocks while senior outside hitter Donja Bobbitt (San Antonio, TX) added 10 kills and 12 digs. Sophomore setter Erin Winchester (Pickens, S.C.) dished out 42 assists with eight digs and two total blocks while freshman libero Becca Wilson (Pickens, S.C.) added 15 digs.

Newberry was led by sophomore outside hitter Jessica Lipsi (Columbia, S.C.) and junior outside hitter Katie Stone (Greenville, S.C.) each tallied five kills for the Indians. Junior setter Alicia Khoury (Toledo, OH) dished out 14 assists while freshman outside hitter Adriane Miler (Summerville, S.C.) added nine digs.

Presbyterian College (24-7, 12-2 SAC) def. Newberry College (8-18, 3-11 SAC)

STAT LEADERS
Kills: PC - Friday 17, Brown 12; NC - Lipsi & Stone 5
Assists: PC - Winchester 42; NC - Khoury 14
Blocks: PC - Brown 5; NC - Lopez 2
Digs: PC -Wilson 15; NC - Miler 9

Records: PC 24-7, 12-2 SAC; NC 8-18, 3-11 SAC