TUSCULUM, TN - Men's volleyball travelled to Tennessee to take on the Tusculum University Pioneers on Wednesday. The Lions defeated the Pioneers in four sets, 3-1. The victory moves their record to 4-9 overall.

Senior Aleksa Lakic recorded 15 kills in the game. The total put Lakic in the 1,000 kill club, as he has now surpassed the impressive milestone in his career as a Lion. Lakic joins senior Don Thompson as the only players in Emmanuel men's volleyball history to pass the 1,000 mark in career kills. There are currently only seven active players in the NCAA with over 1,000 kills, two of which are now Lions. As of this writing, Lakic and Thompson are also the only two active players in Conference Carolinas with over 1,000 kills. 

The first set was tied early on at 11 points a piece. A 9-4 run in favor of the Lions gave them a five point lead, 20-15. The Pioneers rallied to tie the set at 23, but Lakic followed a block with a kill to give the Lions the set in dramatic fashion, 25-23. 

The second set featured a slew of lead changes as the teams went back and forth. However, with the score tied at 16 the Pioneers put together a 9-4 run, giving them the set, 25-20. 

The third set was dominated by the Lions. After opening with four straight points, Emmanuel continued to control the pace as they led 13-6 in the middle of the set. A late rally by Tusculum got them to 20 points, but the Lions still took the set by five, 25-20. 

The Lions opened the fourth set with four straight points. However, this time the Pioneers managed to tie the score at 10. The set then went back and forth until the Lions led by one point, 23-22. Back to back kills by Thompson gave Emmanuel the set and the game, 25-23 and 3-1, respectively. 

The Lions were led by Aleksa Lakic, who finished with 15 kills en route to his historic achievement. Lakic also had 2 aces, 3 digs, 4 blocks, and a hitting percentage of .333. Don Thompson followed with 14 kills, 10 digs (a double double), 2 blocks, and a hitting percentage of .391. 

Next up, men's volleyball will host the University of Jamestown on Friday, March 12 at 7:00pm. 

For more on Emmanuel College athletics, visit goeclions.com.