SALISBURY, N.C. - The Newberry College volleyball team opened the final weekend of their road stretch with a match against the Catawba Indians. The two teams entered the match tied in the South Atlantic Conference standings and eager to make a statement. Unfortunately for the scarlet and gray, a .048 hitting percentage in the match thwarted Newberry (17-12, 7-7 SAC) who fell to Catawba (15-9, 8-6 SAC) in four sets by scores of (25-8, 22-25, 25-16, 25-20).

Newberry wasn't able to get anything going in the opening set, and it was reflected in the final score. Catawba opened a six point run early in the set to take a 7-1 lead. Newberry won a few points and started to close the gap, but only to watch the Indians open another run, this time of seven points. Catawba managed a few more runs down the stretch and ultimately won the final four points to win the opener 25-8.

Newberry came storming back in the second set and battled with the Indians to stay even. The teams exchanged short runs in the early going until a 10-1 Catawba run had Newberry's backs against the ropes. Newberry managed a few more points down the stretch to see themselves down 21-16 until achieving a colossal run of their own, winning 10 out of the last 11 points to steal the set.

Catawba took charge once again in the early goings of the third set. The Indians managed several runs to distance Catawba from Newberry. The scarlet and gray did what they could to stay in it; eventually pulling within five points, but Catawba won the last four points off of a few Newberry attack errors and claimed the third set.

The final set was highly contested in the early stages as well. The teams both put together runs and saw the score tied at 6-6. The middle of the stage was all Catawba; however, as the Indians won 14 out of the next 22 points to build a significant lead. Newberry won several points late to crawl back into it, but attack errors plagued Newberry once again and Catawba was able to seal the victory.

Newberry's attack was led by Lorena Maia (Belo Horizonte, Brazil) who ended the night with 14 kills and 13 digs. Brianna Blakely (Houston, Texas) managed 28 digs on the evening, which was good enough for the team lead. Kara Harris (Grandview, Texas) had a strong all-around performance, totaling 13 digs, 9 kills, 6 service aces and 3 blocks.

Newberry completes the road stretch Saturday evening with a match at Wingate at 5 pm. The scarlet and gray return home next week to face USC Aiken on Friday, November 6, for Senior Night.