DANVILLE, Va. -- The Methodist volleyball team dropped a pair of USA South matches at Averett on Saturday afternoon. The host Cougars opened the day with a 3-0 win over MU before Ferrum defeated the Monarchs, 3-1.

Averett used a strong defensive effort and a solid service game to defeat MU, 25-13, 25-23, 25-13. The Monarchs (7-6, 2-4 USA South) managed just 20 kills in the match, led by five apiece from Cassidy Hayes and Jordan Tew. Brittany Ter Meer added four kills. Maggie Harris led the way with 12 assists, and Reagan Holloway had 10 digs.

Hannah Shields poured in 22 kills to lead the Cougars. Sarah Smoot had seven kills and Keenan Marks chipped in 35 assists. Christina Summa led the defense with 16 digs, and Smoot added 12. Karelyn Holley had five of AU's 10 service aces.

In the final match of the day, Ferrum opened with a 25-23 win and MU evened the match at 1-1 with a 25-18 win in the second set. The Panthers then won sets three and four, 25-17, 25-19 to close out the match.

Hayes had 14 kills in a bounce-back effort, and Ter Meer and Tew chipped in 11 and 10 kills respectively. Hayes had 41 assists and 13 digs, and Karly Klimas led the defense with 21 digs. Holloway added 12 digs and Hayes totaled five blocks in the match.

Hannah Helbert led the Panthers with 13 kills, and Jessica Turner and Jordan Joyce added 12 and 10, respectively. Cheyenne Strickland had 26 assists and Emily Danner added 19. Helbert also led the defense with 21 digs, and Strickland added 20. Hannah Savedge chipped in three service aces.

The Monarchs are back in action on Wednesday when they host N.C. Wesleyan at 7:00 pm.