ANDERSON, S.C. - Despite a career-high 23 kills from sophomore Marissa Mitter and junior Priscilla Irizarry's sixth double-double of the season, the Anderson University volleyball team dropped a five-set, 3-2, (14-25, 25-15, 27-25, 18-25, 15-17) South Atlantic Conference decision to Lenoir-Rhyne, Saturday afternoon at the Abney Athletic Center.

Anderson slipped to 7-5 overall and 5-2 in league action with its first loss in four outings, while Lenoir-Rhyne improved to 7-4 overall and 6-1 in the SAC with its sixth straight victory. The Bears also kept pace with Carson-Newman and Wingate at the top of the conference standings, while AU is now in sole possession of fourth place.

Mitter's third double-figure kill tally of the season led all players, while the native of Redondo Beach, Calif., posted her first double-double of the season by adding 20 digs. Sophomore middle hitter Serena Jackson recorded double-figure kills for the third consecutive match and sixth time this season with 13 kills, while adding four block assists on the afternoon. Irizarry's 53 assists were just three shy of her career-best effort, with the setter also coming up with 23 digs. Freshman Emily Conard posted 23 digs, while classmate Katie Lloyd tallied 14 digs.

The Bears jumped out to an early 12-5 advantage in the opening set behind a .333 attack percentage and never trailed en route to taking the 11-point win. After L-R built the seven-point cushion the Trojans trimmed the deficit to five, but could get no closer, as the Bears opened double-digit leads.

Anderson turned the tables in the second set, while posting 18 kills with just one error in 33 attempts for an impressive .515 hitting percentage. The Trojans overcame an early three-point deficit and went on to win the set on the strength of a 20-7 outburst. Jackson and junior Tinsley Hallman combined for 10 kills during the frame.

The Trojans kept the momentum in the third frame, as AU outlasted the Bears down the stretch for the two-point win. Lenoir-Rhyne scored the first five points of the set, as the Bears jumped out to a double-digit 14-4 advantage. But the Trojans refused to surrender and rattled off an 18-7 run to even the score at 21 apiece. AU held set point twice but the Bears notched two straight points and claimed a 25-24 edge before freshman Jaylyn Knight knocked down one of her three kills on the afternoon to knot the score again. With Conard serving, Jackson then knocked down back-to-back kills to give AU the win and a one set advantage.

AU fell behind in the fourth set and rallied within two points late, but was unable to get any closer despite Mitter's seven kills in the frame. The Bears grabbed an early lead in the fifth and deciding set and never trailed. After battling back to even the score at 15-15 on a late surge, AU saw the Bears earn the win on two straight kills.

Following a six-day layoff, Anderson will open a three-match road swing on Friday, when the Trojans visit Lincoln Memorial. First-serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.