NEWBERRY, S.C. � The Newberry Lady Indians defeated the visiting Pioneers of Tusculum College 3-0 (30-22, 30-20, 31-29) in South Atlantic Conference volleyball Friday evening.  With the win, the Lady Indians improve to 15-7 (6-6 SAC).  The Pioneers fall to 21-9 (9-3 SAC). 

In game one, Newberry took control early.  Trailing 3-1, the Lady Indians went on a 9-1 run to take 10-4 lead.  The teams battled point for point but Newberry, behind a powerful offense, eventually stretched the lead to eight points taking game one 30-22.  The Lady Indians hit .405 in game one with 19 kills.  Priscila Sales (Belo Horizonte, Brazil) had 11 of the team�s 19 kills.

Newberry never trailed in game two; however the Lady Indians were not able to shake off the Pioneers until a late 9-1 run.  With Newberry leading 15-13, Tusculum had not yet fallen more than three points behind.  The Pioneers had tied the score on four different occasions, the last time being at 11.  But leading by two, the Lady Indians opened the game up with a 9-1 run that would see them taking a 10 point lead and winning game two 30-20. 

Newberry jumped out to an early lead at 4-1 in the third game.  However the Pioneers responded quickly tying the score at 4-4.  The game would see its 13th tie at 21-21.  From there, Tusculum appeared to have taken control of the game and was en route to forcing a fourth game.  The Pioneers scored the next five points to take a 26-21 lead.  The Lady Indians score three of the next four points to get within three points at 27-24.  However, the Pioneers, determined to not to get swept, got to game point at 29-24.  From that point, it was all Newberry.  The Lady Indians fought off five game points and scored seven straight points to win game three by a score of 31-29.

Newberry�s offense was led by Sales with a match high 19 kills.  Sales hit .500 on night.  Fernanda Frey (Sao Paolo, Brazil) and Lorena Maia (Belo Horizonte, Brazil) each had eight kills.  Frey swung .412 with only one attack error.  Senior Cara Coleman (Allentown, Pa) had seven kills bringing her career total to 999 kills.  Brianna Blakely (Houston, Texas) dished out 42 assists. 

Defensively the Lady Indians had 12.5 blocks in the match.  Christy Stegall (Fort Mill, S.C.) added 11 digs.

The Pioneers� Vivian Lacy led the way with 11 kills.  Kelsey Hayden added nine kills for Tusculum.  Mariana Rezende had 34 assists in the match.  On the defensive side of the net, Alexis Rowles had a match high 20 digs, while Lacy had 10 digs.

The Lady Indians return to action tomorrow afternoon.  Newberry will face off with Lincoln Memorial at noon in Eleazer Arena.  The Lady Indians and the Railsplitters come into the match tied for fourth place.