BREVARD, N.C. Playing back–to–back matches at Brevard College on Saturday, the Methodist volleyball team recorded two sweeps at its first USA South tri–match of the season. The Monarchs blew past Mary Baldwin and Brevard in three sets each.
Final scores: Methodist def. Mary Baldwin, 3–0 (25–17, 25–15, 25–20); Methodist def. Brevard, 3–0 (25–14, 25–16, 25–13)
Records: Methodist 15–2 (6–1 USA South), Mary Baldwin 2–12 (0–7), Brevard 11–5 (3–3)
Location: Boshamer Gymnasium; Brevard, N.C.
VERSUS MARY BALDWIN
- With an 8–7 lead in the first set, a rare kill by setter Hannah Hewett ignited an eight–point run for Methodist that included three services aces by Jessie Gober. The Monarchs maintained the advantage and Jeanana Fowler finished off the set with a pair of kills for Methodist's final two points.
- The Monarchs rallied early in set two, surging ahead 11–2. Sisters Jeanana and Railyn Fowler combined for five of Methodist's seven kills during that span. Methodist ran away with the set, with Jamie Holton earning kills on the team's final three points leading up to set point. Blake O'Brien served up an ace to clinch the set.
- Methodist captured an 8–3 lead in the third set, but the Fighting Squirrels chipped away at the difference, eventually tying the score at 19–19. The Monarchs took six of the next seven points, with contributions from freshmen Madyson Loberger and Madison Carter, to come out on top.
VERSUS BREVARD
- Hewett led things off with a service ace, which generated a four–point streak. Jeanana Fowler earned three straight kills to give the Monarchs a 10–4 advantage and prompt the Tornados to use a timeout. After the break, Gober immediately delivered a service ace and Fowler struck with another kill to make the gap eight points. Methodist pulled away, winning the set by 11.
- Service aces were a big advantage for the Monarchs versus Brevard. In the second set, an ace by Carlyn Tanis extended Methodist's lead to seven points (20–13). Holton and Savannah Hovander earned three of the final four points for the Monarchs, while Hewett recorded the last kill.
- Back–to–back aces by Hewett put Methodist ahead 3–0 in the third set. Brevard hung close and tied the score at 8–8, but soon the dam burst in favor of the Monarchs with Methodist sailing to victory by winning 17 of the final 22 points.
MORE TO IT
- The Monarchs recorded 45 kills and 45 digs in the team effort against Mary Baldwin. Eight players for Methodist logged a kill, while 12 of the 14 who entered the match recorded a dig.
- Methodist tallied 12 service aces against Brevard while holding the Tornados to a .020 hitting percentage. It's the lowest hitting percentage by a Methodist opponent since Sept. 7 against Hollins (–.038).
UP NEXT
Methodist continues its lengthy road stretch, traveling to Rocky Mount on Wednesday, Oct. 9 for a 7 p.m. match against North Carolina Wesleyan University.
FYI: Earlier this fall, the Battling Bishops announced a media rights deal with FloSports, which will require a subscription to watch Wednesday's match.
