FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- The Methodist volleyball team opened its 2015 season in style, sweeping visiting Guilford, 3-0, on Tuesday evening at the Riddle Center.
 
The Monarchs (1-0) cruised to an easy 25-15 win in the opening set and then eked out a 27-25 win in set number two. The Monarchs had taken a 24-21 lead, but saw GC (0-1) score five straight points to assume a 25-24 lead before a pair of attack errors by the Quakers put MU back on top, 26-25. Karly Klimas closed out the set with a service ace to give the Green and Gold a 2-0 lead. Methodist closed out the match with a commanding 25-14 win in the third set.
 
Methodist held the Quakers to a .000 hitting percentage on the night at GC had 27 kills and 27 attack errors as a team. MU countered with a .209 hitting percentage as a team, and had nine service aces to the just two for Guilford.
 
Cassidy Hayes led the Monarchs with seven kills with zero errors on 22 attempts and added four total blocks as well. Chyenne Pump also had seven kills and added seven digs, while Ashley Beardsley chipped in five kills. Klimas led the team with nine digs and three service aces, and Maggie Harris had 24 assists, five digs and a pair of service aces.
 
Casey Davis led the Quakers with 10 kills, and Kelsey Ruehling added six. Brooke Herr posted a match-high 12 digs, and Maile Munro had 10 to go with 23 assists.
 
The Monarchs take part in the EMU Invitational hosted by Eastern Mennonite on Friday and Saturday. Methodist opens with the host Royals on Friday at 7:00 pm.