MARS HILL, N.C. - The Newberry Wolves volleyball team used a strong third set to climb back into their road contest against the Mars Hill Lions Friday evening, but were unable to capitalize on the momentum as they went on to lose the match in four sets.

The first set provided some clues as to how the match would go for both the visiting Wolves and the host Lions. After Newberry jumped out to an early 6-3 lead, taking the lead on three straight kills by Kylee Kanealey, Becca Hallingstad, and Katie Ullsperger. From there on, however, Mars Hill would dominate. The Lions immediately went on an 11-0 run that included two Newberry timeouts, neither of which stopped the bleeding. Leading 15-6, Mars Hill then cruised to the finish as they won 10 of the next 15 points to win the set 25-11 and take a 1-0 lead.

The Wolves again got off to a quick start in the second set as Toni-Anne Whitlow hammered down two kills, staking Newberry to an early 2-0 lead. Once again, the Lions battled back and won seven of the next nine points to take a 7-4 lead. The Wolves then won four straight points to briefly take the lead at 8-7, but Mars Hill took control from there, taking the lead two points later and extending it throughout the set. Newberry would never get closer than two points the rest of the set, and the Lions used a service ace to punctuate the set, taking it by a score of 25-19. This pushed their lead to 2-0, putting the Wolves in a deep hole.

Early on in the third set, the Lions looked like they were on their way to a quick sweep of Newberry. However, trailing 10-4, the Wolves won seven of the next eight points to close to within one point at 11-10. After a deadlock for the next few points, the Wolves went on a 5-0 run that was capped off with a block from Zoe Dinkins and Toni-Anne Whitlow and led 18-13. They went on to win the set 25-18, closing the overall gap to 2-1 and setting the stage for an exciting fourth set.

Unfortunately for the Wolves, the fourth set turned on them pretty quickly as Mars Hill took the early 5-4 lead. From there, the Lions won nine of the next 11 points to take a commanding lead at 14-6. Although Newberry battled back and even closed to within six points at 24-18, the match ended on a service error by the Wolves and the Lions took the match by a score of 3-1.

Toni-Anne Whitlow had another excellent match for the Wolves, continuing her recent run of strong play, as she recorded 13 kills to lead the Newberry offensive attack. She also added two digs and two blocks. She was joined in double figures by Katie Ullsperger, who had 10 kills and 16 digs, showcasing her ability in multiple ways as she posted another double double. She was joined in double digits in digs by Sydney Diaz and Avery Webb, who had 14 and 10, respectively.

Webb and Taylor Garrison provided consistent play from the setter position, with Garrison recording 20 assists and Webb not far behind with 17 of her own.

Zoe Dinkins also had an excellent match for the Wolves as she recorded eight kills and a season-high six blocks.

Newberry (3-7, 1-5 South Atlantic Conference) will look to bounce back quickly as they face Lenoir-Rhyne on the road tomorrow at 2 pm.