BANNER ELK, N.C. --- Lees-McRae junior Brady Markle amassed a match-high 15 kills, but the men's volleyball team dropped their season-opener, 20-25, 17-25, 21-25 to Quincy in a nonconference tilt Sunday afternoon at Williams Gymnasium in Banner Elk, N.C.
The Hawks (3-0) remain perfect on the young season and hit a staggering .625 in the first set. The Bobcats (0-1) saw sophomore Rudy Klaas (Dakar, Senegal) rack up three block assists.
QU's Anthony Winter delivered a pair of services aces to spark a 6-1 run to open up play.
Markle (York, Pa.) smashed a trio of kills before landing a service ace while LMC stormed back to tie it at 17.
The Hawks' Jarrod Kelso stuffed a pair of Bobcat swings, jumpstarting an 8-2 run to conclude the set.
QU accumulated a match-high 12 kills in the set.
Junior Drew Blecher bested Collin Merk to record an ace, giving LMC a 9-8 advantage in the second.
The Hawks used strong play from Matt Sindelar and Chris Chappelle upfront to help the visitors grab a 17-12 lead.
QU's Zach Hesterberg cranked out consecutive kills before a pair of Bobcat service errors put the finishing touches on the second set.
LMC's John Sobel (Holbrook, N.Y.) enjoyed an impressive third set while contributing two block assists and a pair of kills.
Sophomore Gabriel Rivera (Cupey Bajo, Puerto Rico) paved the way for the Bobcats with 14 assists.
LMC returns to action Friday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. when it welcomes Charleston (W.V.) to Williams Gymnasium.
- LMC -
