Pioneers Ride Team Effort to Second Straight Win

Greenville, S.C. – Hana Vucinic, Aurora Aho, and Makinnley Smart each tallied nine kills as Spartanburg Methodist College defeated host Bob Jones, 26-24, 25-23, 21-25, 25-18, on Thursday afternoon.

The Pioneers (6-12) hit .211 with 49 kills in the four-set victory. Arielle Deas added three service aces, while Aho chipped in two. Setters Tristan Craine and Brook Noe dished out 21 and 20 assists, respectively.

Vucinic nearly recorded a double-double with 13 digs, while Katherine James and Craine each added 12 digs. Smart dominated at the net with six blocks – including five solo – while Leilani Campbell contributed three and Aho added two. Offensively, Kendall Meinders registered seven kills and a .333 hitting percentage.

Bob Jones (7-12) was led by Hannah Goodwin and Lyndsey Cassell with 12 kills apiece. Goodwin also recorded four blocks, and Anne Lloyd posted a match-high 20 digs for the Bruins.

SMC will carry its two-match winning streak back into AAC play on Friday at 6:30 p.m. when the Pioneers host Union Commonwealth as part of Officials Appreciation Week.