CLEVELAND, Tenn. - It was not only a record-setting battle, it was also the first time this season the Lee University volleyball team was able to win in five sets when they turned back old NAIA rival and new Gulf South Conference member Trevecca Nazarene University 25-22, 25-15, 18-25, 23-25, 15-7 inside Walker Arena on Thursday evening. In four previous five-set affairs the frustrated Lady Flames had walked away without posting a victory.
Thursday's triumph moved Lee to 4-3 in conference and 10-9 overall. The visiting Trojans dropped to 4-3, 7-11. Lee returns to action on Friday and will host Auburn University Montgomery. The contest is slated for a 6 p.m. first serve.
Carmen Perez directed the win with 18 kills and a .333 hitting percentage. She also tied a career high with five timely aces and 14 digs giving her a double-double. Freshman Payton Danley had a career high, 14 slams, and a hitting mark of .348, plus four blocks. Sara Palumbo joined Danley with 14 kills.
Freshman Madison Dahl joined the career-high list with 30 assists and enjoyed a double-double evening with 12 digs as time and time again the Lady Flames turned back the attacking Trojans. Berra Soyler added 27 assists and Izzy Denton had 17 important digs to keep Lee rallies alive. Naomi Hockless added 7 kills and three blocks while Grace Mazzocca joined Hockless in helping carry the Lady Flames at the net in the first two-set wins with five kills and five blocks.
As a team Lee set season-best 83 points, 63 kills and 62 assists. It was the most assists in a game since beating Erskine College on 9-3-2022.
For Trevecca, Mackenzie O'Loughlin was a commanding force with 12 kills and eight blocks. Emma Titus added 11 kills and Reese Payne joined in with 10 kills and four blocks. All totaled the Trojans had 24 blocks.
Coach Christa Fabre's Thoughts:
"We had a great start in our match tonight and got to see what this team is capable of when we are playing disciplined and inspired volleyball. Trevecca was a strong blocking team, and they showed that in the third and fourth set."
"We started to gain momentum back late in the fourth set and it carried into the fifth. We have struggled so far on pulling out fifth sets, so it was a milestone win for us in learning how to navigate tight situations with composure. I'm proud of the team!"
