AIKEN, S.C. – The Lincoln Memorial University women's volleyball program got off to a rough start to day one of the SAC/Peach Belt Conference Challenge dropping match one to USC Aiken in three sets, but bounced back at night to take a five set thriller over Lander to end Friday night.
 
Game 1 – USC Aiken 3, LMU 0
 
Ketura Margaret paced the Lady Railsplitters offensively with seven kills while posting a .429 hitting percentage for the match. Senior Emily Walter recorded 17 assists and added five digs to her stat line. Libero Sevgi Koyuncu led LMU defensively with 14 digs.
 
The Splitters got things going in the first set, but the Pacers were able to keep the set balanced after trading points. The Lady Railsplitters were able to take a 14-11 lead, but USC Aiken was not done has they used a 13-point run to take a 24-14 lead, before ultimately taking the first set, 25-15.
 
The Pacers were able to keep their offense going in the second, taking a 11-6 lead, but the Lady Railsplitters were able to stay within the USC Aiken lead. Despite pulling to within two, LMU fell in the second set after three different runs to take the set, 25-16.
 
The third set got off to a back-and-forth match, but it went onto be USC Aiken that created separation to take a 7-4 lead. The Pacers were able to hold onto the lead and used a four-point run to create enough room. The Lady Railsplitters tried to mount a comeback, but USC Aiken was able to take the set and match, 25-18.
 
Game 2 – LMU 3, Lander 2
 
Four different Lady Railsplitters tallied double-digit kills with Sierrah Lemons leading the charge with 10 kills while hitting .375 for the match. The Soddy-Daisy, Tenn. native added four total blocks and an assist on the night. Sophomore Katie Cardenas tallied her fourth double-double of the season with 10 kills and 22 digs.
 
Much like match one of the day, the first set against the Bearcats was a battle until Lander was able to take a 16-11 lead. The Lady Railsplitters were able to mount a comeback and even things up at 17 all. The Bearcats then regained the lead, but Lincoln Memorial was able to bounce back and take the first set, 25-22.
 
The second set was another battle between the programs as the set got out to a 10-10 tie to start. Lincoln Memorial was able to create a small lead, but the Bearcats were able to keep things interesting pushing the score to 24-22. The Lady Railsplitters then used a four-point run to close out the second set, 26-24.
 
Pushing out to a 7-4 lead to start the third set, Lincoln Memorial was able to keep the lead for a few points before a seven-point Lander run gave the Bearcats the 12-8 lead. Keeping things interesting, the Lady Railsplitters were able to keep things interesting before Lander was able to take the third set, 25-20.
 
Lincoln Memorial was able to gain control of the start of the fourth set, but three-point run gave the Bearcats the lead and they did not give it up as the next point went to LMU but eight-point run helped Lander close out the fourth set win, 25-14.
 
The Lady Railsplitters saw their potent offense come out and complete the fifth set as they opened the set with a 7-2 lead before a four-point run helped them complete the five-set win over Lander, 15-6. The win moves Lincoln Memorial to 6-13 overall on the year.
 
Up Next
 
The Lady Railsplitters will take on Augusta and Georgia College on day two of the SAC/Peach Belt Conference Challenge in Milledgeville, Georgia.
 
HOW TO FOLLOW
 
Stay tuned to LMURailsplitters.com, as well as LMU's social media platforms - @LMURailsplitter on Twitter, @LMURailsplitters on Facebook and @lmurailsplitters on Instagram, for complete coverage of Lady Railsplitter women's volleyball across the 2021 season.