Lincoln Memorial University Athletics

Harrogate, TN -- October is synonymous with brooms, typically due to the thought of witches and Halloween. However, the Lincoln Memorial women's volleyball team connected the dots between brooms and October in a different manner on Friday night, sweeping the Newberry Wolves 3-0 in straight sets. Not only did the Railsplitters sweep the match, but also swept the regular season series after having handed Newberry its first loss of the season back in September. 

The opening set saw an intense back and forth battle as Lincoln Memorial edged out Newberry 25-23 in the most competitive set of the match. The frame featured early kills from Sarah Robbins and Kaytlin Johnson alongside strong defensive work at the net by Georgia Dobson and Jazmine Starks. Despite a strong service run from Newberry and multiple ties midway through the set, Lauren Pickett and Finley Sparks sparked a late surge. Dobson, Johnson, and Starks capitalized on key Newberry errors and efficient setting from Pickett to clinch the tight first set 25-23.

Carrying that energy into the second set, Lincoln Memorial captured a 25-21 victory to take a commanding two set advantage. Early offensive execution from Pickett, Johnson, and Starks established a solid rhythm, while Dobson and Robbins anchored the defensive front with crucial blocks. Although Newberry battled back with aggressive serving and kills, the Railsplitters capitalized on opponent miscues and late kills from Sparks and Johnson to close out the second frame 25-21.

Lincoln Memorial sealed the match in dominant fashion during the third set, cruising to a 25-11 victory to complete the sweep. The Railsplitters overwhelmed Newberry with a balanced attack featuring multiple kills from Sparks, Johnson, Robbins, and Dobson, alongside efficient playmaking from Pickett. Late set contributions from Milyn Minor and an exclamation point service ace from Emersyn Blackburn capped off the dominant 25-11 final set, cementing a stellar night for Lincoln Memorial and securing the regular season sweep over the Wolves.

There's no time to dwell on the victory as the Railsplitters look to take down the Anderson Trojans at home on Saturday with first serve slated for 2 PM.