SIGNATURE WIN: Methodist went the distance, the full five sets, in five matches during the 2018 campaign. Against Averett University in the Riddle Center on October 23, the Monarchs stormed back from a 2-0 set deficit -- on senior night -- for a 3-2 victory that was the senior class' first over the Cougars. The three seniors played big roles in the comeback with Jasmine Tapscott and Brittany Ter Meer earning eight kills apiece, and Alyssa Coffey scooping up 19 digs. After Averett won the second set without the lead changing hands even once, the two teams produced a slugfest in the match-turning third set that saw eight ties and seven lead changes. The Monarchs seized the momentum en route to victory with a 25-18 set win. Methodist used runs of 5-0 and 6-0 to win the fourth set and, after Averett scored the first three points of the fifth set, went on a 7-0 run that led to the set and match victory. Lili Henry had 32 assists and freshman Erica East registered a team-high ten kills.

SEASON NOTES: The Monarchs won an opening-round game of the USA South Conference tournament against Salem College before a quarterfinal loss to host, top-ranked and eventual conference champion Meredith College … Methodist was on a tear over the last ten regular season matches, going 7-3 … The Monarchs' nine conference wins was the most since 2015 and their 6-2 home record is the best home winning percentage since 2015 … The senior combo of Ter Meer and Tapscott was an offensive juggernaut. Ter Meer led the team with 319 kills and Tapscott was second with 205 … Ter Meer finished her career with 1,009 kills and 250 blocks. In the Monarch record books, she is third all-time in career blocks and sixth all-time in career kills … Tapscott's 127 career blocks is 10th most in program history … Henry had a whopping 843 assists during the season … Megan Andrews had a team-high 381 digs and Coffey had 319.

POSTSEASON NOTES:

• USA South All-Conference: Brittany Ter Meer
• USA South All-East Division: Ter Meer (first team); Jasmine Tapscott (second team)
• USA South All-Sportsmanship Team: Samantha Spooner

LOOKING AHEAD: Head coach Eddie Matthews has to replace nearly 50 percent of his offense with the graduation of Ter Meer and Tapscott. The third senior, Alyssa Coffey, takes this season's 319 digs and 66 assists (both numbers good for second most on the team) with her when she graduates. It will take more than just three players to replace all of that offense. This season, Erica East, Megan Andrews and Jamie Jones topped triple figures in kills and they figure to have even more of an uptick in production for next year. Of course, those outside hitters still have two more seasons worth of Lili Henry and her assists. The Monarchs also have freshmen such as Riley Adair and Erica East who were key contributors for Methodist and could be factors in the rotation next season.