WILSON, N.C. – The Barton men's volleyball team (0-7, 0-4) fell in heartbreaking fashion in a five-set thriller to Lees-McRae (4-5, 2-4), 3-2, Friday evening in a Conference Carolinas match at Wilson Gymnasium.
The Bobcats defeated the Bulldogs by scores of 25-23, 27-29, 25-19, 21-25 and 27-25 in a contest that was pushing nearly three hours.
Lees-McRae was led by Michael Marsans (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) with a match-high 29 kills while Bradley Peters (Virginia Beach, Va.) added 45 assists and 14 digs in the victory.
Barton, still searching for its first win of the year, fell despite 21 kills from sophomore outside hitter
Brandon Johnston (Hawkes Bay, NEW ZEALAND) and 17 kills from graduate student middle blocker
Zach Reider (St. Charles, Mo.).
Freshman setter
Seth Deppe (Mukwonago, Wis.) added 55 assists and nine digs for the Bulldogs, who were hurt by 27 service errors and had several chances to win match point in the fifth set but came up just short.
Barton turns around to face King (Tenn.) in a league contest at home Saturday afternoon beginning at 2:00 p.m., while Lees-McRae travels to Mount Olive, N.C., to take on Mount Olive Saturday at 11:00 a.m., as well.
