HARROGATE, TN – Playing with emotion and a desire to go out in front of the home crowd on a winning note, the Lincoln Memorial University Lady Railsplitters led by example in Saturday’s bout with future South Atlantic Conference opponent Lenoir-Rhyne College. (Box score)

The Lady Railsplitters jumped out to an early lead in the first game of the afternoon and came away with an impressive 30-17 victory.  The celebration was short lived however, as Lenoir-Rhyne stormed back to win the next three games 30-26, 30-23 and 30-21 to hand the LMU women their eleventh loss of the season and to put a damper on the Lady Railsplitter’s senior day hopes.

Lauren McLellend set the tone for the LRC offense by handing out a game-high 50 assists.  Teammates Kathryn Phillips, Katie Novacek and Katie Sloan also contributed heavily to the win with 15, 13 and 12 kills respectively.

Defensively Catherine Fulton turned in a match best 25 digs, while McLellend and Jordan Ledford each recorded 13 digs to help the Bear’s cause.

For Lincoln Memorial setter Amber Vanderlin (Mesquite, TX) shelled out 43 assists, while senior Joy Otto (Barrington, IL) led LMU in the kills category with 11.  Lady Railsplitter freshman Alison Hess (Dayton, OH) finished the afternoon with 10 kills, while senior Blythe McCulley (Springfield, IL) finished senior day by just missing a double-double with 10 kills and 9 digs.

From the defensive side of the net, Lincoln Memorial was led in the digs category by junior Jency Basinger (Temecula, CA).  Basinger logged 19 digs, while freshman Amanda Horenkamp (Murfreesboro, TN) had 17 and Vanderlin 10.  Incidentally, Hess turned in 5 blocks for the match, while Amanda Baker (Los Banos, CA) and Joy Otto each had 4.

Lenoir-Rhyne def. Lincoln Memorial 17-30,30-26,30-23,30-21

Lenoir-Rhyne (20-11) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Kathryn Phillips 15-2-6; Katie Novacek 13-2-3; Katie Sloan 12-0-4; Abby Smith 8-3-1;Jordan Ledford 5-1-2; Kassi Henry 1-0-0; Natalie Krause 0-1-0; Lauren McLelland 0-2-3; Catherine Fulton 0-3-0; Totals 54-14-10.0.
(Assists) - Lauren McLelland 50. (Dig leaders) - Catherine Fulton 25; Jordan Ledford 13; Lauren McLelland 13

Lincoln Memorial (18-11) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Joy Otto 11-0-6; Blythe McCulley 10-0-1; Alison Hess 10-0-6; Amanda Baker 9-0-4; Amanda Horenkamp 9-0-1; Amber Vanderlin 2-1-3; Karlee Wyrick 1-0-0; Jency Basinger 0-2-0; Totals 52-3-12.0. (Assists) - Amber Vanderlin 43. (Dig leaders) - Jency Basinger 19; Amanda Horenkamp 17; Amber Vanderlin 10;
Blythe McCulley 9

Site: Harogate, TN (Mars Gym)
Date: Oct 21, 2006   Attend: 180   Time: 1:45