HARROGATE, TENN. — Although the Cavaliers forced a fourth set after a 25-21 third-set victory, the Lincoln Memorial Railsplitters (LMU) hung on, taking the match 3-1 (21-15, 4-25, 25-21, 21-25) in the Mary Mars Gym on Sep. 17.

The Cavaliers (3-6, 0-5 SAC) saw a career-high 16 kills from Bailey Conner, along with 16 assists from Piper Suddeth and a leading two blocks from Cassidy Farley. Hannah McAmis led the match with 10 total digs.

In an evenly-matched first set, Lincoln Memorial (5-8, 3-2 SAC) produced five kills from standout Margaret Ketura and three kills from Sierra Lemons to solidify the 25-21 win. The Cavaliers hung tough with six kills combined from Morgan Blevins and Conner, and forced six LMU attack errors in the effort.

The Cavaliers struggled to maintain momentum in the second set, only securing four points in the set from two LMU errors and a kill each from Kaylee Scarce and Conner. Railsplitter Kristen Moehring threw down four kills in the 25-4 defeat.

In the third set, the Cavaliers regained their groove as they took their first lead of the night. Conner led a duo of kills and encouraged three LMU miscues to grab a 9-5 set lead.

Although Ketura fought to bring her Railsplitters back within reach, a final Lauren Montes kill solidified the first set win of the season for the Cavaliers by a score of 25-21.

In the forced fourth set, Lincoln Memorial changed mindsets and found themselves pulling away with an 18-12 lead from a trio of Maggie Sanderson kills.

Conner battled with five kills of her own in the fourth, but the Cavaliers were unable to resurface and lost by a 25-21 final score.

Conner secured a .452 hitting percentage on the day — another career-milestone for the freshman. As a squad, the Cavaliers put up a total .156 hitting percentage.

The Cavaliers head back home in their next conference match on September 20 against the Limestone Saints. First serve is slated for 7:00 PM.

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