NASHVILLE - Lipscomb Volleyball hosted Eastern Kentucky (14-3, 4-1 ASUN) in the battle of unbeatens in the ASUN. Both teams entered the match 4-0 and tied for first atop the conference with FGCU. The Bisons reigned victorious for the seventh straight match, winning 3-2 (23-25, 25-23, 25-20, 20-25, 11-15) and improving to 5-0 in the ASUN. 

The Bisons posted a season-high 73 kills against the Colonels, the most EKU had allowed to date this season, while hit over .300 percent for the third time this season. Meg Mersman put up a career-high 21 kills in the match while hitting .452 percent. Courtney Jones closely followed her with a season-high 19 kills against the Colonels. Berkley Mischler had herself an outing, finishing with seven total blocks to go along with nine kills. Defensively, Delaney Smith and Ninah Miranda combined for 28 digs.

Set 1:

Both teams showed their firepower in set one, combining for 31 kills in the frame. Lipscomb and EKU traded points for most of the set, but a crucial moment and perhaps what secured the match came with EKU up 23-22. Libby Steinhart subbed in and recorded a service ace to even the score. The Bisons would then score two straight-on kills from Jada DiVita and Courtney Jones to take set one 25-23.

Set 2:

EKU was able to level the score in set two in a similar fashion to how the Bisons won set one. A kill from Meg Mersman evened the score at 22, but the Colonels scored three of the last four to win 25-23. The Colonels hit .350 in set two with just three attack errors and 17 kills. Mersman put down seven kills in the frame despite the loss. 

Set 3:

EKU took a 2-1 lead, winning set three 25-20. The Colonels came into the matching, leading the ASUN in hitting percentage, and it showed up in set three, as they hit an impressive .438 percent with 15 kills while holding Lipscomb to .184 percent, their lowest output of the night. 

Set 4:

The Colonels opened the set ahead 3-0, but the Bisons eventually clawed back into the set to take a 6-5 lead on a block from Addi Pelham and Berkley Mischler. From there, the Bisons never surrendered the lead. EKU climbed within one late, but the Bisons tallied the final four points to win 25-20. 

Set 5:

The Bisons came out firing in the deciding set, posting an early 4-1 lead, with three of those points coming on kills from Merman, Hudepohl, and Mischler. Lipscomb maintained their lead throughout the frame to take the match 3-2, with a 15-11 score in set five. The Bisons hit a match-high .476 in the frame with 11 kills to close out Friday's win over EKU.

Up Next:
Lipscomb will play the final match of their three-game home stand against Bellarmine tomorrow, Oct. 7, at 6 p.m. CT.