NEWBERRY - The Newberry Wolves volleyball team (4-14, 2-11 SAC) played one of their best matches of the season Saturday afternoon, but were unable to capitalize on their strong start and fell to Lenoir-Rhyne in four sets at Eleazer Arena.

The Wolves got out to a strong start in the opening set, winning three straight points early on. Two of those points were scored by Kylee Kanealey, who recorded back to back service aces. Newberry continued to play well and went on a six point run that included a timeout by the Bears. Lenoir-Rhyne would battle hard throughout the set and keep it close, but the Wolves stood strong and never let the Bears get closer than four points as they went on to win the set 25-19, giving them a 1-0 lead.

The Bears would get off to the flying start in the second set as they won four of the first five points. They continued their excellent play and extended the lead out to 8-2; Newberry called a timeout during a quick four point run by Lenoir-Rhyne. The Wolves won the next four points to get within two, and the set was fiercely contested from there on. Newberry got within a point at 16-15 and then tied the match at 19, but the Bears ended the set on a 6-0 run to take the set 25-19 and tie the match at one apiece.

The third set was even more closely contested early on, as the set was tied at six. The Bears went on a big run, taking a 10-7 lead and then extending that lead out to 15-7, a sequence that included two service aces. Although the Wolves would battle back to get within three points, Lenoir-Rhyne had too much firepower and cruised to their second consecutive 25-19 set win.

The fourth set was also very close as the set was yet again tied at six early on. Neither team got out to much of a lead and Newberry rallied to take a 19-17 lead. The Wolves seemingly looked like they would extend the match to five sets, but the Bears won seven straight points to seize control before going on to win 25-20. 

Match standouts for the Wolves included Toni-Anne Whitlow and Kylee Kanealey, who recorded 13 and 12 kills, respectively. Kanealey also had two service aces. Sydney Diaz and Katie Ullsperger led the charge defensively with 18 and 13 digs, and Ullsperger added in seven kills. 

The Wolves wil be on the road next week as they will head to Anderson on Tuesday.