NEWBERRY, S.C. - The Newberry College volleyball team completed its regular-season South Atlantic Conference play with a Saturday afternoon match against the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears. In a match that was much closer than the three-set sweep might indicate, Newberry failed to capitalize on opportunities and let the match slip to the Bears. Lenoir-Rhyne (19-14, 5-11 SAC) came up with timely plays and handed Newberry (18-14, 7-9 SAC) the loss by scores of 26-24, 25-17, 26-24.

The opening set indicated how well the two teams matched up against each other and saw 13 ties and four lead changes before its conclusion. The teams essentially alternated points along the way and neither one ever led by more than two points. Down the stretch, Leah Nye (Hoover, Ala.) managed a kill that put Newberry ahead 24-22 and presented multiple set-point opportunities. The next five points went the other way; however, and the Bears were able to sneak the opening set out of Newberry's grasp.

The second set was equally contested in the opening and middle stages. The Bears led for the majority of the set until a pair of Lenoir-Rhyne attack errors allowed Newberry to tie the set and take the lead for the first time at 14-13. Newberry failed to maintain the lead and quickly relinquished it back to the Bears. Lenoir-Rhyne won nine out of the last 10 points to close out a 25-17 victory.

The final set appeared as if it might finally go Newberry's way. Brianna Blakely (Houston, Texas) served well early on and put Newberry out to a 10-5 lead. Later, another Blakely service run put Newberry back on top by a score of 20-17. Newberry eventually stretched the lead to 24-20 and felt comfortable with five set-point opportunities. Lenoir-Rhyne responded with six consecutive points and captured the lead and ultimately the set and match.

Kember Lichtie (Amarillo, Texas) paced Newberry's attackers with a .367 attack percentage and 11 kills. Lorena Maia (Belo Horizonte, Brazil) contributed on 5 blocks and added a service ace. Blakely shouldered the bulk of the defense and ended with 12 digs.

Newberry goes on the road to face USC Aiken on Tuesday, November 10, at 7 p.m. The match will be the last of the regular season for the scarlet and gray.