NEWBERRY - The Newberry Wolves volleyball team fell to 4-13 (2-10 SAC) on the season as they struggled to get anything going Friday night against Mars Hill at home. The Lions went on to win 3-0, clinching the fifth straight loss for Newberry.

After a closely contested first set, the second set spelled trouble for Newberry. Mars Hill won the first three points to jump out to a quick lead, and the Lions continued to apply pressure as they extended the lead to 6-2 and then 10-4. They continued to dominate, winning seven of the next eight points from there to lead by twelve points at 17-5. Although the Wolves continued to battle hard and got within six points at 21-15, Mars Hill won the last four points to take the set 25-15 and lead 2-0.

The Lions got out to a quick start in the first set as they took a 5-2 lead, seizing the momentum. Newberry would strike back quickly to take a 9-7 lead on kills by Katie Ullsperger and Kylee Kanealey, as well as two attack errors by Mars Hill. The set continued to be tightly contested and the teams were deadlocked at 15 a little more than halfway through the set. The Lions then won five consecutive points to take a 20-15 lead and cruised to the finish line, winning the set 25-19 to lead 1-0.

Newberry changed the narrative as they got out to a fast start in the third set. With the teams tied at three, the Wolves won six consecutive points to lead 9-3, and it looked like they were in position to take the set. The Lions would storm back, winning 11 of the next 13 points and forcing a Newberry timeout. They continued to dominate from there on as they won nine of the next 12 points to get within two points of clinching the match. They then won two of the next three points, clinching the set and the match on a kill.

Match standouts for the Wolves included Katie Ullsperger, who led the team with 11 kills and recorded seven digs. Sydney Diaz and Avery Webb got into double digits in digs with 13 and 10, respectively, with Webb adding in 12 assists for good measure. Toni-Anne Whitlow also had a productive match as she recorded seven kills and a team-leading three blocks.

Newberry will look to bounce back tomorrow as they will take on Lenoir-Rhyne at 2 p.m. tomorrow.