NASHVILLE – The Lipscomb University volleyball program finished off Senior Weekend with a four-set victory over Eastern Kentucky University in an Atlantic Sun Conference matchup, Saturday evening inside Allen Arena.
Final Score: Lipscomb 3, Eastern Kentucky 1 (19-25, 25-20, 25-15, 25-20)
Location: Allen Arena
Records: Lipscomb (13-10, 10-2), Eastern Kentucky (17-8, 8-4)
HOW IT HAPPENED
EKU got out to an early 8-2 lead in the opening set and rode that start to a 25-19 opening set win. The Colonels posted 14 kills in the frame to the Bisons 11.
It was a quick turnaround for LUV in set number two. Staying in line with Eastern Kentucky, Lipscomb dropped three straight points to take the 20-17 lead that included back-to-back spikes by
Courtney Jones.
In the third frame, after a slow start, the Bisons took a 9-8 lead after two kills by
Karlie McNabb and an EKU attack error.
From there, LUV went on a 7-2 run to lead 16-10 en route to a 25-15 victory. The Bisons tallied 15 kills with one error on the front row, averaging .438.
In the final frame, Lipscomb posted 19 kills in the frame to pick up the win and take the match, 25-20. Ahead 15-13 at the media break, the Bisons went on a 10-7 run to finish the set. Despite the Colonels making the score 21-18,
Meg Mersman gave the home team the side out with a kill to help snag the victory.
QUOTABLE
Hear from
Jade Zaleski and
Brandon Rosenthal following Saturday's win.
KEY STATISTICS
Four Bisons posted double figures in the kill category on Saturday, led by
Courtney Jones, who totaled 18 kills and added 12 digs for a double-double. She totaled 20 points thanks to three total blocks.
Karlie McNabb recorded 14 kills and added seven digs and two total blocks, while LIbby Steinhart dug out 14 attacks.
Meg Mersman and
Addi Pelham each posted 10 kills. Mersman dropped five total blocks, including three solo, and swung a .476 mark with no attack errors in 21 swings.
Pelham recorded a .429 percentage on the front row.
Sophia Hudepohl also recorded a double-double with 47 assists and 14 digs. The junior also tallied a team-high three service aces and dropped four kills.
HERD NOTES
One day after clinching a spot in the ASUN Championship at the end of November, the Bisons posted their 10th conference victory in 2024, marking the seventh straight season the program has hit double figures in the win column.
UP NEXT
The home schedule for LUV concludes on Tuesday night with a showdown against Austin Peay State University. First serve is set for 6 p.m. inside Allen Arena.
