NEWBERRY, S.C. – Attack errors came back to bite the Lady Railsplitters (4-3, 1-3 SAC) once again on Saturday at Eleazer Arena in a 3-1 loss to the Newberry Wolves (6-3, 2-1 SAC) in South Atlantic Conference volleyball action. Lincoln Memorial, who had a late lead in all four sets, suffered its third consecutive loss by scores of 25-18, 22-25, 23-25 and 24-26.
 
The loss overshadowed a spectacular performance by senior outside hitter Kiera Holland, who racked up a career-high 23 kills to go along with 19 digs and two aces. The Columbia, S.C. native did, however, contribute to 10 of the Lady Railsplitters' season-high 29 attack errors.
 
Rylee Storms added 14 kills, 15 digs and four blocks, while Lindsey Nartker had 10 kills, 13 digs and five blocks. Danielle Ged was the most efficient of the LMU attackers with eight kills on a .304 attack percentage to go along with a team-high six blocks. Tone Gill also contributed with six kills and four blocks. Samantha Cash fell just three shy of matching her career-high mark with 51 assists paired with 14 digs. Erica Whiteaker led all players with 28 scoops.
 
After falling behind by scores of 5-1 and 10-7, the Lady Railsplitters dominated the opening set. Aided by five Newberry attack errors, Lincoln Memorial ripped off a 7-0 run to build a 14-10 lead. The Lady Railsplitters didn't relent after that, pushing the lead to 20-14 on a Wolves setting error. Back-to-back kills by Storms completed the 25-18 win to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
 
The next three sets would play out in similar fashion, but unlike the first the Lady Railsplitters were unable to finish off late leads.
 
The Lady Railsplitters continued to control the match in the second stanza, racing out to an 11-6 lead on an ace by Gill and a Newberry attack error. However, the Wolves responded with a 12-7 run, taking a 19-18 lead on a kill from Vanessa Blue. A pair of kills and another Newberry miscue gave LMU a 21-19 cushion, but Newberry won six of the last seven rallies capped by back-to-back LMU attack errors to draw the match even with a 25-22 win.
 
Lincoln Memorial led big once again in the third set, but was unable to hold on. Two kills from Storms pushed the Lady Railsplitters ahead 15-8, and Lincoln Memorial extended its lead to 20-14 on a kill from Holland. Another kill from Holland made it 23-19 in favor of LMU, but that was the last point of the set for the Lady Railsplitters. Paced by four kills, the Wolves finished the frame on a 6-0 run to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
 
The Lady Railsplitters couldn't hold on to a late lead again in the fourth set. After a kill by Holland put Lincoln Memorial on top 20-17, the Wolves scored three unanswered points to tie it up. The Lady Railsplitters won four of the next five rallies, though, to get three chances at set point with a 24-21 advantage. However, Newberry finished on a 5-0 run – aided by four consecutive LMU attack errors – to win the match with a stunning 26-24 victory.
 
Toni-Anne Whitlow led the Newberry attack with 15 kills on a .306 attack percentage. Mary Siebert had 11 kills and 15 digs, while Sidra Triplett produced 10 kills. Taylor Garrison and Maggie Marsh combined for 44 assists and 23 digs, while Kensley Jordan led the Wolves with 19 scoops.
 
Lincoln Memorial completes its five-match road trip on Tuesday with a trip to Jefferson City, Tenn. to face the Carson-Newman Eagles. First serve is set for 7 p.m. in Holt Fieldhouse.