BANNER ELK, N.C. --- Senior Avalon Liscio tied a career-high with 22 kills and freshman Logan Slusher set a career-high with 13, but the Lees-McRae women's volleyball team dropped a heartbreaking five-set affair, 25-11, 22-25, 22-25, 25-14, 8-15, to Southern Wesleyan in a Conference Carolinas tilt Thursday evening at Williams Gymnasium in Banner Elk, N.C.

The Warriors (5-7, 3-2 CC) were led by a 17-kill attack from Sarah Hughey. The Bobcats (5-9, 2-3) have suffered three five-set losses in the last four contests.

Slusher (Hayes, Va.) matched her career-best by one kill and turned in four digs and a pair of block assists.

Liscio (Naples, Fla.) sparked LMC's offense in the first set with six kills, a solo block and a block assist while the offense clicked efficiently at a .438 clip.

The Bobcats dominated the first set and closed it out with a pair of Madigan Gonzales (Ruidoso, N.M.) kills and an ace from freshman Darian Parsons (Jenks, Okla.).

SWU grabbed a 12-6 lead in the second before LMC tied it at 14.

The Warriors pushed the lead back to five and eventually claimed the set despite swinging a .042 clip.

Hughey turned in eight kills in the third and Paige O'Connor chipped in with a pair to break a 19-all tie.

Much like the first, LMC battered SWU with a .455 clip and ran away with the fourth.

The Warriors took the decisive set after jumping out to a 6-2 lead.

The Bobcats were unable to trim the deficit despite three digs from Courtney Weathersbee (Raleigh, N.C.).

Weathersbee finished with 36 assists and a dozen digs. Junior Madison Martin (Goldsboro, N.C.) impressed with 20 digs, five assists and an ace.

LMC welcomes North Greenville Friday, Sep. 30 at 7 p.m. for a White Out Match in Williams Gymnasium.

- LMC -