GAFFNEY, S.C. --- The Tusculum University women's volleyball team returned from a three-week layoff to battle Limestone on Friday (Apr. 2) night, falling in straight sets to the SAC newcomer.

The Saints (3-5, 3-5 SAC) won by scores of 26-24, 25-22, 25-8, sweeping the Pioneers (2-2, 2-2 SAC).

Vanessa Blas and Sydney Bibby led the Limestone offense with 10 and eight kills, respectively. Abbey Baker dished out 22 assists and a match-best two service aces. A trio of Saints collected double-digit digs: Madi DelBosque (13), Bailey Carpenter (13), and Baker (10). Madeline Yeager's five block assists were a match-high.

Both Bailey Parker and Gabby Gray racked up seven kills, with the former firing on a .357 clip in her collegiate debut. Peyton Gash also contributed six kills in the loss. Elise Carmichael (15) and Catherine Clingan (12) tallied 27 of TU's 28 assists throughout the match. Carly Sosnowski and Gray were outstanding in the dig category, collecting 19 and 17, respectively. Carli Pigza notched four block assists, while Parker is credited with four total (one solo, three assists).

Limestone finished the match with a .142 hitting percentage with 32 kills, 15 errors, and 120 total attempts. TU tallied 30 kills, 28 errors and 125 attacks for a .016 hitting percentage. The Saints led the match in aces (5-0) and assists (30-38), but the Pioneers tallied more digs (65-58). The teams tied with seven total blocks apiece.

Tusculum is set to play its regular season finale versus the Queens University of Charlotte Royals on Saturday (Apr. 3) at 2 p.m.