AIKEN, S.C. - Led by senior Hailey Pittman's combined 25 kills and .649 hitting percentage, the Anderson University volleyball team earned two wins by defeating Conference Carolinas' opponents Limestone, 3-1 (25-17, 19-25, 25-18, 25-15) and sweeping Lees-McRae 3-0 (25-14, 25-19, 25-20) at the USC Aiken Invitational Saturday afternoon at the Convocation Center.

Anderson improved to 6-1 on the season, matching the 2012 squad's fast start on the year. Limestone is searching for its first win of the season after suffering its 10th consecutive setback, while Lees-McRae fell to 4-4 on the season.

Pittman helped get the Trojans started quickly, as the 5-foot-11 middle blocker posted a match-best .625 attack percentage in the win over Limestone, which equaled the fourth-best percentage in school history. She also added nine blocks on the day.

Redshirt sophomore Priscilla Irizarry dished out 36 assists, and added 15 kills and 13 digs. Senior Shannon Gillespie notched 14 kills, 13 digs and six blocks, while freshman Marissa Mitter posted 13 kills on the strength of a .423 attack percentage. She also recorded seven service aces on the afternoon. Freshman Tatianna Grodecky handed out 32 assists and came up with eight digs, with senior Alix Hooker notching 29 digs. Senior Kelley Lacey recorded 15 digs on the day, while freshman Kendall Vallancourt chipped in nine kills and six blocks. Freshman Serena Jackson added seven kills and four blocks.

The Trojans bolted out to a fast 10-1 lead in the opening set versus Limestone behind Mitter's strong serves. The Saints climbed within five on four occasions, but would get no closer, with Pittman closing the frame with her fourth kill of the day.

AU stumbled in the second set, as Limestone pushed out to a 17-12 lead and the Trojans were unable to recover. Anderson battled back within 19-17, but the Saints answered with back-to-back points to boost their cushion back to five and held onto the lead.

Anderson trailed until midway through the third set, when Jackson's kill snapped an 11-11 tie. Gillespie's fifth kill of the match evened the score again at 16 apiece and Irizarry's kill moments later gave AU a lead it would not relinquish. The Trojans then closed the set on an 8-2 run.

The fourth set saw AU reel off the first seven points, with the Trojans taking a double-digit lead, at 19-9 and taking the set and match on Jackson's kill.

Sophomore Jessica Harris recorded an impressive .714 attack percentage against Lees-McRae, with Pittman posting a .692 percentage, as the duo combined for 14 kills without committing an error in 20 attempts to lead Anderson to a season-best .352 team percentage on the year.

The Trojans jumped out to a 15-4 lead in the opening set versus the Bobcats, en route to the double-digit set victory.

With Anderson leading just 13-10 midway through the second frame, the Trojans went on a 9-4 surge to break open the set and claimed the 25-19 win.

AU never trailed in the third frame, as the Trojans broke away from from an 11-9 lead to take the 25-20 victory.

At the conclusion of the tourney, Gillespie was named first-team all-tournament, while Pittman earned second-team honors.

Anderson opens South Atlantic Conference action on Tuesday, when the Trojans visit Brevard. First-serve at Boshamer Gymnasium is set for 7 p.m.

All-Tournament Team
First Team
Becca Acevedo ¬ Palm Beach Atlantic
Emma Ballantyne ¬ Palm Beach Atlantic
Shannon Gillespie ¬ Anderson
Rachel Holehouse ¬ Palm Beach Atlantic
Jessica King - Newberry
Sheila Walsh ¬ USC Aiken

Second Team
Katie Ballantyne ¬ Palm Beach Atlantic
Monica Cardona ¬ USC Aiken
Jariliz Cotte ¬ Lees McRae
Ashley Diedrich ¬ USC Aiken
Hailey Pittman ¬ Anderson
Alexzandra Reed ¬ Francis Marion