FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. Methodist volleyball hosted North Carolina Wesleyan University on Wednesday night in a USA South Athletic Conference match. Before the contest, the Monarchs honored their four seniors. Though Methodist's celebration did not translate to the court as the Battling Bishops claimed the match 3-1 over the Monarchs in the March F. Riddle Center.
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: N.C. Wesleyan def. Methodist, 3-1 (25-23, 26-24, 19-25, 25-21)
Records: Methodist 10-13 (5-8 USA So.), N.C. Wesleyan 8-14 (4-8)
Location: March F. Riddle Center; Fayetteville, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The first set started out with the teams matching point for point before N.C. Wesleyan was able to pull away slightly, 11-8. Methodist came roaring back by scoring the next five points to go up by two, 13-11. The Monarchs held onto that slight lead until a 4-0 swing by Battling Bishops put them up by one, 22-21. Methodist scored the next two points but N.C. Wesleyan tallied the final three points need to win the set.
- Early offense by the Monarchs in game two saw them have a seven-point advantage, 14-7, over the Battling Bishops. That lead disappeared on Methodist as N.C. Wesleyan fought back to knot the set up at 14-14. From there a back-and-forth contest ensued but it would be the Battling Bishops that came out with victory for the set.
- N.C. Wesleyan held a narrow lead, 7-6, early on in the third set before two different 5-0 runs by the Monarchs put them up 16-10. That was the biggest turning point for Methodist in this game as the team maintained a six to seven point difference the rest of the way to take their first set of the night.
- In set number four, the Monarchs got out to a 5-1 advantage before the Battling Bishops registered the next four point to make it even. A big 7-0 run by N.C. Wesleyan would put them ahead 19-10. Facing match-point, 24-16, Methodist made thing interesting by scoring five consecutive points and force the Battling Bishops to call a timeout. That decision by N.C. Wesleyan proved to be a good one as it broke the Monarchs momentum and the Battling Bishops scored the last point.
MORE TO IT
- Even though Methodist was on the losing end, the Monarchs had a better hitting percentage, .166, then N.C. Wesleyan did in the match (.123). This is because the Battling Bishops committed 35 errors to Methodist 17.
- The Monarch offense was led by seniors Geneva Barriger and Leann Sessom, with 14 and 13 kills respectively.
- Just edging out team-high in digs was Carrie Jordan with 26. Sitting right behind her with 25 was Hannah Hewett.
UP NEXT
- Methodist will travel to Raleigh to play in their final USA South tri-match of the season. The Monarchs take on Greensboro College and host Meredith College on Saturday. Methodist first match is at 2 PM against the Pride of Greensboro.
- N.C. Wesleyan continues on the road to Winston-Salem to make up a USA South match with Salem College on Friday starting at 6 PM.