HARROGATE, Tenn. – After not competing in 19 days, the Lincoln Memorial University men's volleyball program showed no signs of rust as they captured a five-set thriller (25-22, 23-25, 25-21, 19-25, 15-11) over in-state rival King on Tuesday night.
 
The Railsplitters (2-0) recorded just a .213 hitting percentage for the match while the stout Blue and Gray defense held the Tornadoes (1-4), to a .175 hitting percentage. LMU tallied a total of 59 kills compared to just 45 by King. The Splitter defense showed out as sophomore Dawson Walker powered the Blue and Gray with a career-high 11 total blocks in the match.
 
The Tornadoes jumped out to an early 9-3 lead before the Railsplitters were able to bring the score to within four. Using a 4-0 run, LMU was one point off the lead at 16-15. Moments later, the Railsplitters captured their first lead of the match, 19-18. Holding onto the lead, Lincoln Memorial's Justin Sharfenaker winded up and sent the ball falling to seal the first set victory, 25-22, over King.
 
Like the first, the Tornadoes jumped out to an early lead, but the Railsplitters responded quickly evening things up at 6-6 early on. Both teams traded runs through the middle of the set before King was able to create some separation to take a 22-20 lead. The Railsplitters came within one of the lead, but the Tornadoes were able to take set two, 25-23.
 
Lincoln Memorial looked to regain the momentum going into the third and they did so, taking a 7-5 lead. King battled back to take a 14-13 lead, but the Railsplitters had other plans as a 7-0 run gave them a 22-16 lead over the Tornadoes. King tried to mount a comeback late, but LMU was able to secure the third set win, 25-21.
 
The Tornadoes swarmed early as they took a 5-0 lead before extending their lead to 12-5. The Railsplitters found an offensive grove to make the King lead just three points, but the Tornadoes were able to further their lead going onto capture the fourth set, 25-19.
 
With the home crowd roaring, the Splitters looked to make quick work in the final set as they do just that, breaking out to a 6-3 lead before the Blue and Gray defense lead by Walker stuffed any attempt of a Tornado comeback as the Railsplitters captured the fifth set, and match, 15-11, over King.
 
Up Next
 
The Railsplitters turn their attention to No. 11 Loyola-Chicago on Friday, January 28 for a 7:00 p.m. ET first serve inside Mary Mars Gymnasium. The matchup with the Ramblers is the Better Together match so we want to fill Mary Mars!
 
Follow Along
 
Be sure to stay tuned to LMURailsplitters.com , as well as LMU's social media platforms – @LMURailsplitter on Twitter, @LMURailsplitters on Facebook and @lmurailsplitters on Instagram – for up-to-date Railsplitter men's volleyball information, including any 2021-22 schedule changes.