GREENSBORO, N.C.  Methodist's Kendall Craig's eight kills tied for match-high honors Wednesday but host Greensboro College had three players register the same number, leading to the Pride's 3-0 sweep of the visiting Monarchs in USA South Athletic Conference volleyball action.

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Greensboro def. Methodist, 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-20)
Records: Methodist 0-2 (0-2 USA South), Greensboro 3-0 (2-0)
Location: Hanes Gym; Greensboro, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Methodist was within striking distance nearly the entire match, but was unable to get over the hump.
• The Monarchs took the lead in the opening set, 15-14, on a Megan Andrews kill, but consecutive points from the Pride reversed the advantage. The set score was tied at 16, 18, and 19 before Greensboro would earn six of the next 10 points to seal the win.
• A 9-8 lead in the second set was lost with four straight Pride points. But after trailing by as many as seven (22-15), Methodist caught a spark and began to rally, sandwiching kills from Erica East and Kaeli Ryan between a pair of Greensboro attack errors to pull within three points at 23-20. The Pride, though, would halt the rally and knock down the final two points of the set.
• Never trailing by more than three points through the midway point of the third, the Monarchs would eventually pull within one, 17-16, on another Ryan kill. But like the previous sets, Greensboro would out score the Monarchs down the stretch, 8-4, to capture the set and this time, the match.

MATCH NOTES

• Craig led the Monarchs on the attack, and also notched the team's only service ace of the match.
• Geneva Barriger added seven kills to the attack effort, with three others collecting five kills apiece.
• Hannah Hewett registered 23 set assists in the loss, and also came up with a team best 16 digs.
• Ryan had a strong night at the net. In addition to her five kills, the senior also accounted for three solo blocks of the Greensboro attack.
• The Pride attack was paced by Hailey Stout, Carly Uhlir and Sarah Oakes who each finished with eight kills.
• One of the leading factors in the Greensboro victory was its serving prowess. The Pride had 11 aces during the match, led by Stout's 6.

UP NEXT

• Methodist will travel to Staunton, Virginia, for its next match, a USA South bout Sunday against host Mary Baldwin University.
• Greensboro will face Averett University on the Cougars' home court Saturday. The match will be a doubleheader, but with only the opening match counting in league standings.