BATESVILLE, Ark. – The Lyon College volleyball team returns to action this weekend in the Panther Volleyball Tournament. The tournament will be hosted by Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Ark. The Scots will play matches on Friday against Tabor College at 2:00 p.m. and Texas College at 6:00 p.m. The following day, Lyon will battle Rust College and Philander Smith College. 
 
The Matchups
Tabor College: The Bluejays sport a 1-4 record on the 2019 season. TC's lone win came against Oklahoma Panhandle State University last weekend. In their most recent match on Wednesday, the Bluejays lost to (RV) Kansas Wesleyan in an epic five-set match. TC relies on Samantha Smith (183 assists) to set for their powerful outside hitters – Taylor Quiring (60 kills) and Marissa Graf (54 kills).  

Texas College: This tournament will be the first contests of the season for the Lady Steers. TC put together a 1-20 season last year and are looking to improve on that mark during the 2019 campaign. The Lady Steers return seven players from last year's group and added ten new players to help increase their depth. Queen Price and Amoiya Gentry will look to lead this young TC squad as the two combined for 153 kills during the 2018 season.
 
Rust College: This will be the first contest for the Lady Bearcats this season. Rust concluded the 2018 campaign with a 1-16 overall record and a 1-13 mark in conference play. The lone win last season for the Lady Bearcats came via a forfeit. However, Rust has high hopes for a terrific season this year as their coaching staff is excited about their incoming class.
 
Philander Smith College: This tournament will be the first game action this season for the Panthers. PSC sported a 5-18 record last year and will look to build on their sixth-place finish in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference during the 2109 campaign.
 
Lyon College: The Scots are 0-3 on the young season after battling three difficult opponents at the Park University Tournament last weekend. Kaitlyn Jackson is coming off a career-high 31 assists against St. Ambrose University and is currently ranked seventh in the American Midwest Conference (AMC) for assists per set at a clip of 5.9 assists per set. Kendra Kelley and Alley Edwards lead Lyon in kills this season as each Scot has tallied 25 kills through the first three contests. Levia Taegtmeyer has used her length and athleticism at the net to record eight total blocks through three matches, which puts her in the fourth position in the AMC for blocks per set.
 
Series History
Tabor College: Lyon and Tabor have only met on the hardwood once in the histories of each volleyball program. In their lone meeting on Sept. 8, 2018, the Scots edged the Bluejays in a five-set thriller (23-25, 30-28, 20-25, 25-19, 15-10).
 
Texas College: The Scots own an unblemished 2-0 record all-time against the Lady Steers. In the most recent matchup on Aug. 31, 2018, Lyon defeated TC in straight sets (25-15, 25-11, 25-19).
 
Rust College: This will be the second meeting between the Scots and Lady Bearcats as Lyon defeated Rust College in three sets back in 2008.
 
Philander Smith College: Lyon has had success against Philander Smith College in the past. The Scots bolster an impressive 13-1 record against the Panthers. In the most recent showdown between the two squads on October 3, 2018, the Scots dominated PSC (25-8, 25-13, 25-18).
 
Follow the Matches
Tabor College: Friday, Aug. 30 @ 2 p.m. 
Little Rock, Ark.
Live Stats – CLICK HERE
 
Texas College: Friday, Aug. 30 @ 6 p.m. 
Little Rock, Ark.
Live Stats – CLICK HERE
 
Rust College: Saturday, Aug. 31 @ 12 p.m. 
Little Rock, Ark.
Live Stats – CLICK HERE
 
Philander Smith College: Saturday, Aug. 31 @ 2 p.m. 
Little Rock, Ark.
Live Stats – CLICK HERE
 
Up Next
Lyon returns to Batesville for their home opener against Bethel University. The Scots will battle the Lady Wildcats on Sep. 3 at 7:00 p.m. inside Becknell Gymnasium.
 
Volleyball Contact: Justin Wagner
870-307-7073 | justin.wagner@lyon.edu 
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