HICKORY, N.C. --- The Tusculum University women's volleyball team dropped its first match in 464 days, traveling to Lenoir-Rhyne on Thursday (Feb. 25) evening.

The Bears (1-0, 1-0 SAC) won by scores of 25-17, 25-22, 25-19 to complete the sweep over the Pioneers (0-1, 0-1 SAC).

Lenoir-Rhyne was led offensively by Taylor Prall's 13 kills on a .333 hitting percentage. Both Ashley Hawkins and Colette Romp tallied seven kills. Helen Hamilton dished out 19 assists, while Rachel Bewick finished with a game-high two service aces. Three Bears reached double-figure digs: Anna Jordan (13), Bewick (13), and Prall (12). At the net, Braelyn Faust had her hand in four blocks (one solo, three assists).

Freshman Peyton Gash and Emiah Burrowes powered the TU offense with eight kills apiece. Raven Chance, in her collegiate debut, racked up six kills on a .333 clip. Gabby Gray (4), Carli Pigza (4), and Kyndall Kalb (3) rounded out the column. Elise Carmichael had over half of the team's assist with 16, while Carly Sosnowski and Catherine Clingan had six and five, respectively. Sosnowski was also responsible for the Pioneers' lone ace. Burrowes and Clingan dug up 11 attempts, with Sosnowski close behind with eight. Chance used her height at the net and was credited with four total blocks (one solo, three assists). Gray (one solo, one assist) and Burrowes (two assists) notched a pair as well.

Lenoir-Rhyne finished the match with a .192 hitting percentage with 35 kills, 15 errors, and 104 total attempts. TU tallied 33 kills, 20 errors and 117 attacks for a .111 hitting percentage. The Bears led the Pioneers in assists (32-29), digs (55-43), aces (5-1), and total blocks (7-6).

Tusculum will play its first home match of the season on Tuesday, March 9, hosting nearby Lincoln Memorial in a 7 p.m. contest.