LCC's volleyball team falls to nationally-ranked Catawba Valley in four sets

Lenoir Community College is making a push to finish the volleyball regular season at .500.

Although the Lancers were derailed in a four-set loss to Catawba Valley Saturday, the Red Hawks (25-8) came in nationally ranked at No. 16 in the latest NJCAA Division II poll. LCC (8-10) still has two games on the schedule, next week against Louisburg and Cape Fear CC.

“We have to continue working as a team and pulling together,” LCC coach Haley Thomas said. “Communication is a key factor and that’s what will help us in the next couple of games.”

The teams had two ties and two lead changes over the first four points, but a 7-1 run by the Red Hawks gave them control on the way to a 25-8 win in the opening set. The teams played it close in the second set, but the Lancers went on a 5-0 run highlighted by a double block from Reagan Avery and Laura Jenkins to go up 11-6. LCC stretched its lead to nine at one point, but Catawba Valley roared back to tie the game at 24. Eventually, the Lancers scored the next point before Avery’s ace gave LCC the victory in the second.

From there Catawba Valley took over, leading the entire third set on the way to a 25-10 win. In the fourth set, the teams traded the first eight points, but a 10-2 run from the Red Hawks was too much for the Lancers to overcome in a 25-14 result.

LCC will travel to Louisburg Tuesday before ending the season at home against Cape Fear CC the following day. Both games take place at 6 p.m.