HICKORY, N.C. - Despite getting double-figure kills from sophomores Marissa Mitter and Serena Jackson for the second time in as many days, the Anderson volleyball team dropped a 3-1 (14-25, 25-19, 16-25, 19-25) South Atlantic Conference decision to Lenoir-Rhyne, Saturday afternoon at Shuford Gymnasium.

While battling for a berth in next month's conference championship, Anderson slipped to 10-14 overall and 8-10 in the league with its second straight setback and fifth loss in the last six outings. Lenoir-Rhyne improved to 16-7 overall and 14-4 in the SAC by sweeping the regular-season series and claiming its fourth consecutive win.

Mitter's match-high 21 kills were just two shy of her career high tally, set against the Bears in early September, and marked the ninth time this season that the native of Redondo Beach, Calif., has reached double figures. Sophomore Serena Jackson reached double-figure kills for the 11th time this season by adding 14 kills on the day. Junior Tinsley Hallman chipped in seven kills and 18 digs, with freshman Emily Conard recording a match-best 22 digs. Junior Priscilla Irizarry nearly recorded her 12th double-double of the season, with a match-high 44 assists and nine digs.

The Bears scored the first four points of the opening set and never trailed, as L-R posted the double-figure win. The Trojans responded with four unanswered points of their own to even the score for the only time of the frame, at four apiece. But AU was unable to grab the lead, as Lenoir-Rhyne countered with yet another four-point spurt to take an advantage it would not surrender. With the Trojans trailing, 16-11, Lenoir-Rhyne closed the set with an impressive 9-3 surge to take the victory.

It was Anderson's turn in the second set to score the frame's first two points, as the Trojans used a .381 attack accuracy to claim the win. The set featured seven ties, with AU snapping a 12-12 deadlock with an 8-2 scoring outburst to take control of the set. Conard and fellow freshman Megan Embry provided the serving during the run, while Jackson fueled the surge with four kills, including three straight at one point. The Bears chipped away and pulled within 22-19 before Mitter gave AU a four-point edge with another kill and the Trojans moved to set point on an error from L-R. Irizarry followed by closing the frame with an ace.

The Trojans hit just .079 in the third set, enabling Lenoir-Rhyne to pull away from a close 11-9 score and build a 20-13 advantage, as the Bears maintained the separation for the nine-point set victory.

Neither team managed to build more than a three-point lead until late in the fourth set, with the frame featuring eight ties, including six in the early going.- AU's Mallory McFerron and Jessica Harris notched back-to-back kills to snap an 8-8 tie, but Lenoir-Rhyne responded by claiming a brief 13-11 lead before the Trojans evened the score at 15-15. But L-R countered with four unanswered points to retake the edge. The Trojans climbed back within 22-19 on a kill from Hallman, but would get no closer, as the Bears posted the final three points.

Anderson will look to get back in the win column on Friday, when the Trojans open their final two-match homestand of the season by welcoming Lincoln Memorial to the Abney Athletic Center for a 7 p.m. first-serve.