WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- The Methodist volleyball team opened conference play with a split of two matches on Friday afternoon at Salem College.
 
The Monarchs (5-10, 1-1 USA South) opened play with a 3-1 win over Salem (4-5, 0-1) and followed that with a 3-0 loss to Covenant (4-7, 1-0).
 
In defeating the host Spirits, MU bounced back from a 25-22 loss in the first set to dominate the next two sets 25-15, 25-15 to take a 2-1 lead. The Monarchs closed out the win with a 25-22 win in the fourth set.
 
Cassidy Hayes turned in a dominant offensive performance, collecting 17 kills while hitting a robust .469 on 32 attempts. She added three blocks and a pair of service aces as well. Jamie Jones added 10 kills and Brittany Ter Meer chipped in eight kills to go with five blocks.
 
Maggie Harris had 41 assists and 12 digs, while Annabelle Ronelli led MU with 18 digs. Chyenne Pump notched 13 digs and added seven kills.
 
Taylor Moulton led Salem with 12 kills and had 17 digs. Hannah Delcamp had 36 assists and Mariah Sharon had a match-high 22 digs.
 
Covenant defeated MU, 25-13, 25-13, 25-19.
 
Hayes was held to nine kills in the loss as MU hit .081 as a team. Harris had 19 assists and Pump led the Monarchs with nine digs.
 
Covenant was paced by Hannah Harris' 13 kills, while Ginny Moore added 11 kills. Schuyler Moore totaled 37 assists and eight digs, while Hannah Stewart led the team with 11 digs. Jessica Seehorn added five service aces.
 
The Monarchs continue conference play on Saturday in a quad match at Maryville beginning at 1:00 pm.