HICKORY, N.C. -- The Trojans opened South Atlantic Conference play on Tuesday evening with a 3-0 (25-16, 25-17, 25-23) loss to Lenoir-Rhyne University (7-2, 1-0 SAC). Anderson, who was ranked No. 3 in the SAC coming into the season while the Bears were ranked No. 3, move to 3-4 on the season and 0-1 in the SAC. 

"I felt good about our practice on Monday and how we competed over the weekend," head coach Todd Hay said. "Obviously, we were not ready to play and that's on me. I've got to do a better job figuring out if it's our personnel or offensive and defensive schemes. I do know we will get better and learn from this as a staff and team. Lots of good volleyball left to be played."

Anderson struggled to gain momentum against a solid Lenoir-Rhyne side, whose offense swung at a .239 hitting percentage to the Trojans' .114. The Bears also out-blocked the Trojans 8-3. 

The Trojans showed a lot of fight in set three, going up by as many as five points and holding a lead through 18 points before the Bears took it back to complete the sweep.

Junior Ava Reeves (Lexington, S.C.) led the offense with 10 kills. Sophomore Mia Elder (Leland, N.C.) had a team-high .348 hitting percentage with nine kills and just one error. 

Freshman Mikaylah Hedlund (Fountain Inn, S.C.) dropped seven kills and led the defense with 10 digs. She tacked on two aces. 

Junior Ellie Nieporte (Boca Raton, Fla.) dished out 22 assists with four digs and two kills. 

The Trojans finish out their road stretch with a nonconference contest at Emmanuel University on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 12 p.m.