ROCKY MOUNT, N.C.  In a USA South Atlantic Conference quad match, hosted by North Carolina Wesleyan College, Methodist volleyball came away with a 3-0 win over Mary Baldwin University in their first match before falling by same score, 3-0, to east division leader Southern Virginia University on Saturday in Everett Gym.

JUST THE FACTS
Final scores: Methodist def. Mary Baldwin, 3-0 (25-20, 25-20, 25-20); Southern Virginia def. Methodist, 3-0 (25-14, 25-13, 25-21)
Records: Methodist 11-16 (3-12 USA South), Mary Baldwin 5-21 (1-13), Southern Virginia 21-4 (12-2)
Location: Everett Gym; Rocky Mount, North Carolina

HOW IT HAPPENED

• At one point in the first set, the Monarchs got out to a 21-13 lead before Mary Baldwin scored seven straight points to get back within one. Just when the Fighting Squirrels though they had the momentum Methodist put that to stop by claiming the final four point to win the set.
• The second set saw Mary Baldwin with an early 5-1 lead. The Monarchs fought back with help from a 6-0 run to take an 18-12 advantage. The Fighting Squirrels attempted a comeback with a five-point run themselves but that would not be enough to stop Methodist.
• In a thrilling third set by the two teams, each side would match point-for-point until it was 6-6. At one point both the Monarchs and Mary Baldwin went on separate 5-0 runs in this back and forth set. It would be Methodist though that came out victorious by scoring six of the seven final points for the match.
• Southern Virginia started off the first set 12-6 before the Monarchs managed to get back within three, 13-10. The Knights would put the set out of reach by scoring the next eight consecutive points to win the set.
• Much like the last set, Southern Virginia got out to an early lead with Methodist bringing it back to striking distance. However, a big run midway through helped seal the set victory for the Knights.
• The final set was a much different story than the first two. This time the Monarchs who got up early on Southern Virginia, 6-2.
• The Knights would take their first lead of the set, 7-6, by scoring five straight points. After that, the match the momentum kept switch between the two teams, with neither side wanting to give up the set. Ultimately, Southern Virginia got the better of Methodist for the match win.

MATCH NOTES

• The Monarch offense was a tale of two matches. In the first match, their hitting percentage, .273, was what helped secure the win over Mary Baldwin, who had a .146, before dropping a little over hundred points to .170 against the Knights, .368 hitting percentage.  
• Freshman Jeanana Fowler led Methodist in points, respectively 10 & nine, and blocks, one solo against the Flying Squirrels & two blocks vs. SVU, for both matches.
• Hannah Hewett was the key distributor for the Monarch attack. She dished out 30 set assist in the opening match, then added another 27 against the Knights.

UP NEXT

• Methodist is back in USA South action on Wednesday when they travel to Salem College.
• Mary Baldwin and Southern Virginia will match-up with each other on Wednesday when the Fighting Squirrels go to the Knights for a USA South contest.