ROCKY MOUNT, N.C.  Methodist scored 40 of the final 54 points, including the final 10 points of the match, to win the final two sets and defeat host North Carolina Wesleyan College, 3-2, in the last bout of a USA South Athletic Conference volleyball tri-match Saturday evening.

After a split of the opening two sets, the Battling Bishops took the third set to wrest control of the match.

But the Monarchs never trailed in the fourth set, opening on a 6-0 run, and finished off the match victory by racing away from a 5-5 deadlock in the deciding fifth set.

Earlier in the afternoon, Methodist dropped a 3-1 decision to Averett University in the middle match of the day.

JUST THE FACTS
Final scores: Averett def. Methodist, 3-1 (25-22, 21-25, 25-12, 30-28); Methodist def. N.C. Wesleyan, 3-2 (14-25, 26-24, 21-25, 25-9, 15-5)
Records: Methodist 4-15 (3-8 USA South), Averett 13-11 (10-1), N.C. Wesleyan 9-16 (4-7)
Location: Everett Gym; Rocky Mount, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Though that run of 40 points across the final two sets clinched -- quite emphatically -- the rally, the turning point of the match may well have come all the way back in the second set, with N.C. Wesleyan ahead by a set, and leading the second, 18-13.
• A 7-1 run turned the tables, lifting the Monarchs into a 20-19 lead. The Bishops weren't giving in after that, though, and fought back to eventually own a 24-23 lead and serving for the set.
• A timely, for Methodist, service error flipped the momentum and tying the score. A Bishops attacking error pushed the Monarchs in front, and then a set-clinching kill by Geneva Barriger iced the game win.
• Though NCW would battle for and scratch out a third-set win, Methodist flipped the switch back on at the start of the fourth, opening with those six unanswered points and never trailing in evening the match and setting up the triumphant fifth set.
• The tone for the rally against the Bishops may have been set in the loss to Averett, a 3-1 defeat that was no 'gimme' for the Cougars.
• Splitting the first and second sets with differences of just three and four points, respectively, gave no indication of how Averett would dominate the third set. But the fourth set was a dazzling display of fortitude, by both teams.
• Methodist came from behind to eventually serve for the set point, ahead 24-21. Averett would fight off that set point, and four more before it would rally for the set, and match win.
• That spirit, however, is likely what lifted up the Monarchs in the victory over the Bishops.

STAT FACTS

• Methodist won three five-set matches last season, but up until Saturday had only played in one five-setter this season, a loss at Roanoke College.
• The win over N.C. Wesleyan gives the Monarchs a season sweep of the series, and is their third straight over the Bishops.
• Megan Andrews hit double digits in kills in both matches Saturday, tying for match-high honors with 15 in the loss to Averett, and pounding out a match-best 18 in the win over N.C. Wesleyan.
• Barriger notched that key kill in the second set against the Bishops, finishing with four in the match, but racked up eight kills against Averett to tie her season high.
• Erica East had a strong outing for the Monarchs on Saturday, putting down seven kills in the opening match before upping that total to eight in the late match.
• Lili Henry, with 25 set assists, and Savannah Mullis, with 22, were a well-oiled team during Saturday's win. Both added nine digs to the stat sheet in that victory, and Mullis chalked up four service aces, tying Andrews for match honors.
• Kaeli Ryan had a strong day at the net defensively, registering two solo blocks and one block assist in the win, after posting one solo and three block assists against Averett.
• Maddie Barga's 18 digs against N.C. Wesleyan were only two shy of her career high -- set one week ago against William Peace University.

UP NEXT

• Methodist will travel to Misenheimer, N.C., for its next match, a conference bout Wednesday at Pfeiffer University.
• Averett travels to Salem College and N.C. Wesleyan travel to Meredith College on Tuesday night in a pair of league matches.