HARROGATE, Tenn. — The Lincoln Memorial University women's volleyball team couldn't have asked for a better start to conference play.
 
LMU (5-2, 1-0 SAC) bested South Atlantic Conference foe Queens, 3-1, in its conference opener, and is looking for a 2-0 start in the SAC for the first time since 2016, when Tusculum College (2-5, 0-1 SAC) comes to Mary Mars Gym tomorrow.
 
The Basics
 
Tuesday, Sept. 18 vs. Tusculum — 7 p.m.
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Quick Hits
 
- The Lady Railsplitters convincing SAC opener, winning 25-13, 25-17, 22-25, 25-21 in four sets was just what LMU needed after starting the season 4-0 before dropping consecutive matches the weekend before Queens.
 
- LMU's dominating win came without standout Lindsey Nartker, who was sidelined, but her teammates stepped up big-time.
 
- In particular, Tone Gill was named Astroturf SAC Volleyball Player of the Week Monday after posting new season-highs in hit percentage (.333), block assists (nine) and points (15.5). She also had 11 kills.
 
- Gill leads the SAC in blocks per set, and sits in second place in block assists and third in solo blocks. The Nashville, Tenn., native is also fifth in Division II in block assists.
 
- Rylee Storms was behind Gill with 10 kills as was Emma Flowers. Emily Walter, who is fourth in the SAC with 9.50 assists per set, contributed 35 assists Friday paired with four aces.
 
- Senior Erica Whiteaker had 35 digs in her first, last conference match of her career, pulling her within 27 of the school record (1,808) for digs which is held by Casey Mense, who played from 2012-15. The libero needs 28 to break the all-time record.
 
Know the Opponent
 
- Since winning its first two matches of the season, Tusculum has hit a rough patch, losing five straight.
 
- The Pioneers have won just four sets in their last 15 sets during their five-game losing streak, which dates back to Sept. 1. 
 
- Tusculum dropped a 3-1 decision to Queens the day after LMU knocked off the Royals, 3-1, on its home floor.
 
- The Pioneers' matchup at LMU is their first true road test of the season as Tusculum travels with a 2-5 home record.

- Taylor Blythe, a freshman, is fifth in the SAC, averaging one block per set.
 
Head-to-Head
 
-These two SAC squads are very familiar with each other, playing every season since 1989 where the Pioneers hold a slight 33-32 advantage.
 
- The Lady Railsplitters won the last meeting in sweep fashion, 3-0, but split the series with the Pioneers a year ago.