MARS HILL, N.C. – The Newberry College women’s volleyball team has now won eight matches in a row after defeating Mars Hill 3-1 (23-25, 25-21. 25-23, 25-21) Friday night at Chambers Gymnasium. Newberry’s eight-game winning streak is the longest winning streak according to available records.

Toni-Anne Whitlow recorded 15 kills off the bench for Newberry. Logan Hayward notched a double-double with 14 kills and 20 digs. Madison Darby-McClure and Sidra Triplett collected 12 and 11 kills, respectively. Maggie Marsh dished out 55 assists and Kensley Jordan tallied 31 digs.

Newberry (17-10, 14-5 SAC) notched an early 10-4 lead in the first set. Mars Hill (7-19, 6-13 SAC) answered right back with a 10-3 run to grab a 14-13 lead. The Lions extended the lead to 18-14 before a kill by Darby-McClure tied the set at 18-18. Newberry tied the set three separate times. Mars Hill eked out a 25-23 set one victory.

The Wolves once again jumped out to an early advantage, leading 10-5 in set two. The Lions answered with a 6-0 run to lead 11-10. Mars Hill led by as many as three points, but Newberry closed the gap to tie the set at 20-20. The Wolves scored the last four points in the set to even the contest at 1-1.

In a close third set, Newberry scored an early 10-5 lead. Mars Hill did not go away quietly, tying the set at 15-15. The Wolves led 19-16 before the Lions once again tied the set at 20-20. The set was tied three more times, but Darby-McClure recorded back-to-back kills to hand Newberry a 25-23 set win. Whitlow posted seven kills in the third set. Newberry also had a match-best .333 hitting percentage in the frame.

Mars Hill was in control early in set four, running out to a 12-8 advantage. Newberry rallied to tie the set at 15-15.  The Wolves then notched a 7-3 run to lead 22-18. Newberry eventually won the set 25-21 and the match 3-1.

Lauren Hochstetler had 12 kills for Mars Hill. Andie Russell collected 27 assists and Victoria Kaiser recorded 18 digs.

Newberry will travel to Tusculum (11-16, 6-13 SAC) Saturday for a 2 p.m. match.