MARS HILL, N.C. -- Catawba suffered a tough five-set loss to host Mars Hill in South Atlantic Conference volleyball action on Saturday at Chambers Gym. The Lions rallied to improve to 18-9 overall and 7-7 in the SAC with a 23-25, 27-29, 25-15, 25-15 and 15-13 win. The Catawba Indians move to 9-11 and 6-8.

Catawba led 12-7 in the final set, but the Lions got a combo block from Jana Cuk and Kelly Jakaitis and a kill from Grace Lilly to get within 12-10. A block by Ashley Johnson and Molly Mather had Catawba up 13-10, but the Lady Indians would not score again.

After a Jakaitis kill and a Catawba hitting error, the Lions were within 13-12. Lilly had two kills to bring Mars Hill to match point and Sarah Goddard kills off the final point of the match.

Catawba had won two tight opening sets to go up two sets to none. A kill by Kylie Morgan and a Lion error had the Lady Indians up 24-21 in the opening set. Mars Hill got within one before Raytchelle Miranda killed off the final point.

The Lady Indians were down 21-12 in the second set before storming back. Allison Bryant had a kill and two aces in an 8-0 run that got Catawba within 21-20. Bryant got the Lady Indians tied at 24-24 on a kill and on top at 26-25 with another kill. Mars Hill fought off several set points before kills from Bryant and Arianna Colon ended the set.

The Lions started their comeback with 25-15 wins in set three and four. The Lions raced away from an 11-10 edge in set three and jumped to a 6-1 lead in set four.

Bryant put down 19 kills and served three aces with 11 digs to lead Catawba. Morgan had 11 kills and 28 digs. Libero Gabrielle Kuzma also posted 28 digs. Jordan Gore recorded six kills and four blocks.

Goddard had 24 kills and 22 digs for Mars Hill. Cuk added 15 kills and seven blocks. Ully Martins registered 40 digs and Jordan Schmucker handed out 46 assists.

Catawba travels to Queens on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. meeting with the Royals.