Women's Volleyball | 10/29/2011 7:54:00 PM

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Methodist volleyball team wrapped up the regular season on Saturday winning two matches at a USA South Tri-Match hosted by Peace College. The Monarchs defeated Mary Baldwin 3-0 (25-15, 25-12, 25-19) and knocked off Peace 3-1 (25-7, 25-23, 20-25, 25-18).

In the first match of the day, Methodist trailed 3-0 in the first set to Mary Baldwin, but took the lead at 6-5 and never trailed again as they won 25-15. The Monarchs took control early in the second set thanks in part to four consecutive service aces from Stephanie Wood. Methodist capitalized on Mary Baldwin errors to win 25-12. The Squirrels used a 9-1 run in the third set to lead 11-6, but the Monarchs pulled together and finished with the 25-19 win.

Jalesty Washington led the team with 14 kills while Stephanie Wood added eight. Kayci Miller had 26 assists while Washington and Kalie Ludvigsen paced the team with nine digs apiece.

The Monarchs jumped all over Peace in the first set with a 15-2 lead. Methodist led by as many as 18 points before finishing with the 25-7 win. Peace had the 18-17 before the Monarchs used a 5-0 run to take control. The Pacers cut the lead to one, but the Monarchs finished with the 25-23 win. Peace jumped out to the 13-6 lead in the third set, but the Monarchs came back and tied it  up at 17 with back to back kills by Lauren Bramble. Methodist even led 18-17 and 19-18, but after the score was tied at 20, Peace scored five straight points to win 25-20. The Pacers looked to keep the momentum and led 6-1 early in the fourth set. The Monarchs came back and tied it up at 11 and used another rally to lead 19-13. The Monarchs clinched the match with a block from Bramble and Wood to win 25-18.

Wood and Washington led the team with 13 kills apiece while Bramble added 10 kills. Miller had 35 assists while Rachel Evans had a match-high 19 digs.

With the two wins, the Monarchs move to 21-7 this season, the most wins since 1988. Their 13-5 conference record secured them the No. 3 seed in the USA South Tournament, the highest since 1992. Methodist will host No. 6 Shenandoah in the first round of the USA South Tournament Tuesday at 7 p.m.

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