BATESVILLE, Ark. – After nearly 14 months since the last Lyon College volleyball match, the Scots are ready to get back on the court for a trio of matches in four days to open up their season. The Lyon College volleyball team will open up the season on the road against Cumberland University on Feb. 8. Next, the Scots will battle Philander Smith College on Feb. 9 in Little Rock and return to Becknell Gymnasium for their home opener against Bethel University on Feb. 11. 

The Matchups
Lyon College: The Scots reached 20 wins during the 2019 campaign for the first time since the 2005 season. Lyon will look to improve on that mark this year with Coach Dustin Sahlmann beginning his first year at the helm of the Lyon College volleyball program. The Scots return their leading setter from last season in Kaitlyn Jackson and five of their eight kill leaders from the 2019 campaign in Alley Edwards, Maria Eleni Bampiri, Levia Taegtmeyer, Courtney Erby, and Maggee Hobson. Defensively, Maria Eleni Bampiri, Alley Edwards, and Levia Taegtmeyer will look to make their presence felt at the net again this season as the trio combined for 164 blocks in 2019.

Cumberland University: The Phoenix are 1-5 on the season after dropping a pair of matches to Georgetown College and Campbellsville University on Jan. 30. Offensively, everything runs through Victoria Johnson as she has tallied a team-best 234 assists. Lauren Galvan leads CU with 51 kills, while Isabella Curcio has notched 43 through their first six matches. Defensively, Jovana Cernjanski leads the charge for the Phoenix as she has recorded a team-high 96 digs. 

Philander Smith College: The non-conference clash between the Lady Panthers and Scots will be PSC's first contest of the season. Last year, Philander Smith College sported a 13-12 record. The Scots had PSC's number last season as Lyon defeated the Lady Panthers, 3-1, both times the squads squared off. Jakayla Shrum and Lela Collier are the two key returners for PSC. Shrum totaled team highs in assists (563) and service aces (29), while Collier registered a team-best 316 digs. 

Bethel University: The Lady Wildcats carry a 1-2 record into their matchup with the Scots on Feb. 11. Bethel's most recent match was a three-set victory over Central Baptist College back on Oct. 27. Hannah McGowan does it all for the Lady Wildcats as she leads BU in kills (39), digs (41), and service aces (4). McGowan's 3.9 kills per set also ranks her 16^th in the NAIA in that category. Bethel also uses a pair of setters – Katelyn Van Hooser (56 assists) and Maggie Brooks (51 assists) – to keep defenses off balance.    

Series History
Cumberland University: Lyon lost their only match against Cumberland University back in 2018 (25-18, 28-26, 26-24). 

Philander Smith College: The Scots have had PSC's number as Lyon holds a 15-1 record all-time against the Lady Panthers including a pair of four-set victories over PSC last season.
 
Bethel University: Lyon is 0-2 in the all-time series against the Lady Wildcats. In their most recent meeting last season, BU bested Lyon on Oct. 28, 2019.

Follow the Matches
Cumberland University
Monday, Feb. 8 @ 4 p.m.
Lebanon, Tenn.
Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena
Live Stats – CLICK HERE
Live Video – CLICK HERE

Philander Smith College
Tuesday, Feb. 9 @ 6 p.m.
Little Rock, Ark.
Mims Gymnasium
Live Stats – CLICK HERE
Live Video – CLICK HERE

Bethel University
Thursday, Feb. 11 @ 4:30 p.m.
Batesville, Ark.
Becknell Gymnasium
Live Stats – CLICK HERE
Live Video – CLICK HERE
 
Up Next
Following the match against Bethel University, the Scots host John Brown University in a midweek clash on Feb. 17. First serve between the Scots and Golden Eagles is set for 6:00 p.m. inside Becknell Gymnasium.

Volleyball Contact: Justin Wagner
870-307-7073 | justin.wagner@lyon.edu 
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