BANNER ELK, N.C. - The Emmanuel College men's volleyball team defeated conference opponent Lees-McRae 3-1 on Saturday afternoon. EC won by score of 29-27, 25-27, 25-19, 27-25. This win brings the Lions record to 2-7 overall, 2-4 in conference. 

Senior Aleksa Lakic unloaded with a career high 23 kills en route to EC's 4 set victory. Despite a team hitting percentage of only .148, EC commanded the net with an incredible 34 combined blocks, creating a new program high.

SET 1

EC led for most of the first set, but the Bobcats continued to exchange. With the Lions leading 23-21, the Bobcats responded with a kill followed by two Emmanuel attack errors to steal the lead. With set point in hand, Lees-McRae gave up two points to put EC ahead 25-24. The Lions followed suit with a service error of their own before a LMC block gave the Bobcats the lead once again at 26-25. The game continued to play out until back to back kills from Aleksa Lakic closed out the first set, 29-27.

SET 2

Just like the first set, the teams battled back and forth the entire set. After holding EC off from their 25-24 lead, the Bobcats capitalized on two EC errors and a kill of their own to take set two 27-25.

SET 3

The Lions went on an early run and never looked back. EC took set three 25-19.

SET 4

Lees-McRae stayed on top most of the fourth set. Trailing 24-21, the Lions combined for 4 straight points to steal the lead 25-24. The Bobcats kept their hopes alive with a kill to tie the set 25-25. Aleksa Lakic would close out the match with a kill and service ace, 27-25.

Lakic led all players with 23 kills. Alex Zayas and Philipp Lauter both had career high blocks with 9 and 8 respectively.

Next up, the Lions host Reinhardt on Tuesday, February 11th at 7pm.

For more news on Emmanuel College Athletics, visit goeclions.com.