Box Score BANNER ELK, NC- The Chowan University volleyball team fell in three straight sets to the Bobcats of Lees McRae on Saturday afternoon.  The Hawks move to 10-2 overall on the season, and are 0-2 against nonconference opponents while the Bobcats improve to 2-17 with the win. 
 
Suraya Chase led the effort for the Hawks with eight kills.  Allison Smith collected 23 assists and Cindy Ehrich accounted for 13 digs in the contest.  For Lees McRae, Avalon Liscio led all players in the match with 16 kills.  Candace Niemiec tallied 31 assists along with 10 digs in the win.  Molly Corhn notched 11 digs for the Bobcats. 
 
The Hawks jumped out to an early 4-2 lead before Lees McRae's 5-0 run put the Bobcats ahead 7-4.  Lees McRae maintained the lead for the remainder of the set and earned the 25-21 win thanks to key kills from Liscio and Hawk miscues. 
 
Chowan fought back in the second set, and scored in bunches to stay close on the Bobcats' heels.  Allison Smith's service ace and a Bobcat error gave the Hawks the momentum in set two with a 16-13 lead.  With the set tied 19-19, a 3-0 run for Lees McRae swung the momentum back to the Bobcats, who promptly closed out the set with kills from Niemiec and Haydn Beatty to secure the 25-22 victory. 
 
The Bobcats made quick work of the Hawks in the third set.  After trailing 5-3 early on, Lees McRae used a 6-0 run all from Chowan miscues to take an 11-3 lead.  The Hawks battled to answer back by winning seven out of the next eight points to pull within two points of the Bobcats (12-10). Lees McRae maintained the lead for the remainder of the set and pulled away 23-15 before earning the 25-17 final set win. 
 
The Hawks return to Murfreesboro on Thursday to host Elizabeth City State.  The CIAA Northern Division match-up is slated for 6:00pm in the Helms Center.