ANDERSON, S.C. - Freshman outside hitter Shannon Gillespie nearly posted her 10th double-double of the season, but the Anderson volleyball team opened its final two-game homestand of the season with a 3-0 (16-25, 19-25, 19-25) setback to Tusculum in South Atlantic Conference play Friday night at the Abney Athletic Center.

Anderson (4-11, 7-19 SAC), which is battling for a spot in next month's eight-team conference tournament field, suffered its third consecutive setback. Tusculum, which has clinched a berth in the event, improved to 17-9 overall and 10-6 in the league.

The first set was knotted five times before the Pioneers snapped an 8-8 tie with a 4-1 run to grab a lead they would not relinquish at 12-9. AU climbed back within 12-11, but Tusculum answered with a 9-2 outburst that put the set out of reach.

AU fell behind early in the second frame, but rallied to claim a 10-8 edge on a kill from sophomore Joy Hiller, but the Pioneers scored three unanswered points to take a narrow lead. Tusculum snapped a 13-13 tie with two consecutive points and held the advantage throughout the rest of the set.

Tusculum jumped out to an early 10-4 lead in the third set, but Anderson chipped away at the deficit, eventually taking a narrow 15-14 lead. The Pioneers countered with six unanswered points to build a 20-15 advantage and held the lead the rest of the way.

Gillespie led the Trojans with nine kills and 17 digs, while senior Marlie Bryant and junior middle blocker Tiffany Rowe each added five kills apiece. Freshman Meghan Cautero handed out a team-high 26 assists and freshman Kalie Endres recorded 14 digs.

Anderson will close out its home schedule with a 2 p.m. Homecoming match on Saturday, as Mars Hill invades the Abney Athletic Center.