Women's Volleyball | 8/30/2008 6:30:42 PM

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Monarchs played to a tough four set loss to Messiah 3-1 (25-21, 25-27, 29-27, 26-24) before coming back and defeating Columbia 3-1 (25-17, 21-25, 27-25, 25-17). The Monarchs open their season 2-1 while Columbia moves to 2-2 this year.

In the first match, Messiah took the first set 25-21 before the Monarchs came back in the second set to win 27-25 on a block from senior Sara Yeatman and junior Taylor Cates. The Monarchs led 22-19 in the third set, but Messiah came back to tie it at 22 and battled through to the 29-27 win. The Monarchs took another 22-19 win in the fourth set, but Messiah came from behind once again to win 26-24 for the 3-1 match.

Yeatman led the team with 12 kills while freshman Jalesty Washington finished with nine and Cates and junior Kelsey Carter added six a piece. Carter had 30 assists for the Monarchs and junior Jordan Grady led with 26 digs.

In the final match of the day, Methodist took on Columbia in a rematch from Friday night. The Monarchs came out strong with a 25-17 win in the first set. The Koalas came back and won the second set 25-21, but Methodist came from behind to win the third set 27-25. Down 23-15, the Monarchs capitalized on Columbia's mistakes to tie the game at 23. Columbia went up 25-24, but the Monarchs took a 26-25 lead on a strong kill from Washington. Methodist finished with the win on an attack error from Columbia. In the fourth set, Methodist jumped ahead early and went on to win 25-17.

Yeatman led once again with 19 kills while Washington had 10. Carter had 35 assists and freshman Kelsey Yates added three service aces along with 21 digs. Grady finished with 21 and Yeatman added 13.

The Monarchs will host Salem on Wednesday at 7 pm.