Friday, August 28
Nashville, Tenn.
6 pm
Lipscomb University
1-0,0-0ASUN
3
vs
1
Memphis
0-1,0-0American
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | 9 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 1 |
| Lipscomb | 25 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
Baldwin Era Opens with Four-Set Win over Memphis
8/28/2026 9:36:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
NASHVILLE – A lot of emotion and a lot of anxiety were on the shoulders of the new coaching staff for the Lipscomb University Volleyball team entering Friday's season-opening match with the University of Memphis. But that all melted thanks to the team play on the floor inside Allen Arena, as the Bisons (1-0) took down the Tigers (0-1), 3-1 (25-9, 23-25, 25-23, 25-22) thanks to a team effort of 55 kills and a .262 attack percentage.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first set began with Lipscomb establishing a strong lead over the Bisons. After an initial service error to open play, the Bisons quickly rebounded, with Ella Durham delivering a kill assisted by Kelsey Schenck to tie the score at 1-1.
From there, the Bisons never looked back. After a 6-1 run that saw Memphis commit attack and setting errors, the Tigers were held to six kills and six errors for a .000 attack percentage in the set.
Key contributions included Brooklyn Fuchs and Lexi Guinn, both scoring pivotal points to extend the lead to 9-2. Durham secured the set for the Bisons with two consecutive kills, both set up by Schenck, ending the set at 25-9.
LUV and Memphis exchanged points in a tightly contested second set. Durham's kill and Schenck's service ace helped the home squad gain an early 3-1 advantage. Memphis responded, with Victoria Hill and Caitlyn Little contributing key kills to keep the score close. Service errors were frequent for both teams, keeping the scoreline tight.
Despite eight errors on the serve in the second frame, Dawn Moore's kill gave Memphis a 24-23 lead, and an ace by Arianna Mongare sealed the set for Memphis at 25-23.
The third set saw Lipscomb gain momentum with a series of strategic plays. After Memphis led 2-0, Guinn's kill and Durham's service ace helped Lipscomb even the score. Grace Jones contributed significantly with two service aces, helping Lipscomb establish a 9-3 lead.
Memphis rallied back, tying the set at 10 with a service ace from Jordan Turner.
The teams exchanged points in a tight contest, with the Bisons maintaining a slight edge due to pivotal kills by Sydney Strenger and Madyson McCarthy.
As the score reached a tense 23-23, Fuchs delivered a crucial kill to set up set point. Durham sealed the set for Lipscomb with a decisive service ace, concluding the set at 25-23.
In the fourth set, the Bisons secured a narrow victory over the Tigers with a 25-22 score. Durham was pivotal, contributing several key kills, including one at 8-11 and another that helped reach 24-22. Schenck assisted on many of these plays, including a service ace at 14-9 and another critical kill by Fuchs at 18-14.
Memphis rallied to tie the score at 22-22, driven by Sydney Marshall's service ace, but a kill by Durham and a setting error by Marshall concluded the set in favor of Lipscomb.
HERD NOTES
Since 2002, LUV is now 16-9 in home openers and 12-16 in season openers.
QUOTABLE
"I think I challenged our athletes to want to be that playmaker," said head coach Sarah Baldwin.
"Credit to Memphis; they threw a lot of punches at us, and they're going to do their stuff, but so are we. Every athlete on the court challenged them to step up to the plate and we want to be the one to make that next big play."
Hear more from head coach Sarah Baldwin and Kelsey Schenck after the opening win.
KEY STATISTICS
Kelsey Schenck, taking over as primary setter for the Bisons in her junior season with LUV, posted a career-best 46 assists, matched her career-best with four aces and her second career double-double with 14 digs.
Freshman Grace Jones totaled 20 digs in her first collegiate match, while Kenzie Kucks added 14.
Ella Durham led the offense with 15 kills and eight digs. More impressively, she was 21-of-22 in receptions.
Brooklyn Fuchs totaled 10 points with eight kills and three blocks, while Lexi Guinn had nine kills and four blocks for 11.5 points.
Sydney Strenger and Madyson McCarthy each added nine kills for the Bisons in the win.
UP NEXT
LUV's opening weekend will conclude with the College of Charleston on Saturday night for a 6 p.m. first serve in Allen Arena.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first set began with Lipscomb establishing a strong lead over the Bisons. After an initial service error to open play, the Bisons quickly rebounded, with Ella Durham delivering a kill assisted by Kelsey Schenck to tie the score at 1-1.
From there, the Bisons never looked back. After a 6-1 run that saw Memphis commit attack and setting errors, the Tigers were held to six kills and six errors for a .000 attack percentage in the set.
Key contributions included Brooklyn Fuchs and Lexi Guinn, both scoring pivotal points to extend the lead to 9-2. Durham secured the set for the Bisons with two consecutive kills, both set up by Schenck, ending the set at 25-9.
LUV and Memphis exchanged points in a tightly contested second set. Durham's kill and Schenck's service ace helped the home squad gain an early 3-1 advantage. Memphis responded, with Victoria Hill and Caitlyn Little contributing key kills to keep the score close. Service errors were frequent for both teams, keeping the scoreline tight.
Despite eight errors on the serve in the second frame, Dawn Moore's kill gave Memphis a 24-23 lead, and an ace by Arianna Mongare sealed the set for Memphis at 25-23.
The third set saw Lipscomb gain momentum with a series of strategic plays. After Memphis led 2-0, Guinn's kill and Durham's service ace helped Lipscomb even the score. Grace Jones contributed significantly with two service aces, helping Lipscomb establish a 9-3 lead.
Memphis rallied back, tying the set at 10 with a service ace from Jordan Turner.
The teams exchanged points in a tight contest, with the Bisons maintaining a slight edge due to pivotal kills by Sydney Strenger and Madyson McCarthy.
As the score reached a tense 23-23, Fuchs delivered a crucial kill to set up set point. Durham sealed the set for Lipscomb with a decisive service ace, concluding the set at 25-23.
In the fourth set, the Bisons secured a narrow victory over the Tigers with a 25-22 score. Durham was pivotal, contributing several key kills, including one at 8-11 and another that helped reach 24-22. Schenck assisted on many of these plays, including a service ace at 14-9 and another critical kill by Fuchs at 18-14.
Memphis rallied to tie the score at 22-22, driven by Sydney Marshall's service ace, but a kill by Durham and a setting error by Marshall concluded the set in favor of Lipscomb.
HERD NOTES
Since 2002, LUV is now 16-9 in home openers and 12-16 in season openers.
QUOTABLE
"I think I challenged our athletes to want to be that playmaker," said head coach Sarah Baldwin.
"Credit to Memphis; they threw a lot of punches at us, and they're going to do their stuff, but so are we. Every athlete on the court challenged them to step up to the plate and we want to be the one to make that next big play."
Hear more from head coach Sarah Baldwin and Kelsey Schenck after the opening win.
KEY STATISTICS
Kelsey Schenck, taking over as primary setter for the Bisons in her junior season with LUV, posted a career-best 46 assists, matched her career-best with four aces and her second career double-double with 14 digs.
Freshman Grace Jones totaled 20 digs in her first collegiate match, while Kenzie Kucks added 14.
Ella Durham led the offense with 15 kills and eight digs. More impressively, she was 21-of-22 in receptions.
Brooklyn Fuchs totaled 10 points with eight kills and three blocks, while Lexi Guinn had nine kills and four blocks for 11.5 points.
Sydney Strenger and Madyson McCarthy each added nine kills for the Bisons in the win.
UP NEXT
LUV's opening weekend will conclude with the College of Charleston on Saturday night for a 6 p.m. first serve in Allen Arena.
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
DS/L
/ Women's Volleyball
DS/L
/ Women's Volleyball
OH/RS
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's VolleyballTeam Stats
Mem
Lips
Kills
41
55
Errors
14
18
Attempts
132
141
Hitting %
.205
.262
Points
53.0
73.0
Assists
37
54
Aces
6
12
Blocks
6
6
Game Leaders
Kills
15
Aces
3
Blocks
0
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
0
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