DANVILLE, Va. With two opportunities to add to the win column, Methodist took care of business on Saturday by defeating both the University of Lynchburg and Averett University on day two of the Cougar Classic.
At 3–1 on the weekend (with 11 set victories to four losses), the Monarchs tied for the best tournament record. After tiebreakers, which included head–to–head matchups and total set wins, Methodist was crowned the 2024 Cougar Classic champion.
Final scores: Methodist def. Lynchburg, 3–0 (25–13, 25–14, 25–16); Methodist def. Averett, 3–1 (21–25, 25–20, 25–16, 25–20)
Records: Methodist 3–1, Lynchburg 3–1, Averett 1–3
Event: Cougar Classic
Host: Averett University
Location: Grant Center; Danville, Virginia
GAME ONE
- A hot start for Methodist put the Monarchs up 3–0. Lynchburg fought back, tightening the gap to a 5–4 score before witnessing a seven–point run, with six points coming while freshman Carlyn Tanis served. The Monarchs stayed in front by no less than five points, then soon surged to a 21–10 lead after Jamie Holton recorded a kill and a service ace during a five-point streak. Tanis finished the job with a kill for the team's 24th point and an ace to win the set by 12 points.
- The Monarchs swiftly made their way to a 9–4 lead in the second set, prompting Lynchburg to call timeout. The Hornets briefly slowed Methodist's momentum, but a six–point run (that saw two Holton service aces) put the Monarchs ahead 17–8. Two kills each for Holton and Jeanana Fowler propelled Methodist to an 11–point set victory.
- Methodist started the third set with energy, as Hannah Hewett recorded a kill for the first point and a service ace for the next point. Three kills by Fowler paced the Monarchs to an 11–6 advantage, and Methodist continued to control the set. A great dig by Blake O'Brien allowed Methodist to make the score 24–15, setting up match point. Following a kill by Lynchburg, a service error at the fault of the Hornets secured the Monarchs their second sweep of the Cougar Classic.
GAME TWO
- Methodist showed no sign of fatigue to start the latter half of Saturday's back-to-back slate, winning the first four points against Averett. However, the Monarchs conceded the lead to the host during an 8–2 run. Methodist battled back, but with the score tied at 20 apiece, the Cougars commanded five of the next six points to claim the first set.
- With the second set tied 2–2, Mahala Carter entered the match for the first time and immediately produced a kill, sparking a five-point Methodist run. Averett clawed back to within one (21–20), but with their backs against the wall, the Monarchs took the next four points to tie the match.
- Making a statement to start the third set, Holton, Tanis, Savannah Hovander and Hannah Spexarth each recorded a kill as Methodist captured a 6–1 lead. The offense continued to excel as Hovander logged and ace and a kill, followed by back–to–back kills for Fowler that extended the lead — now 10–3. Methodist totaled 18 kills and four services aces during the third set, winning just three points on Averett attack errors in route to a 25-16 set victory.
- The Monarchs continued to pound the ball at the net in the fourth set, producing 21 kills. Methodist never trailed during the fourth set, grinding out a 25–20 win to clinch the match.
MORE TO IT
- In the win over Averett, the Monarchs had four players record double-digit digs, with Jamie Holton (16), Hannah Hewett (17), Carlyn Tanis (18) and Blake O'Brien (26) all making major defensive contributions. Hewett (58 assists, 17 digs) and Holton (17 kills, 16 digs) both notched double-doubles against the Cougars.
- Mahala Carter made the most of her minutes, producing six kills on 14 attempts with no attack errors (for a percentage of .429).
- Stuffing the stat sheet, Savannah Hovander was Methodist's most efficient player on the attack over the course of both matches while also pacing the team in blocks (four solo and four assisted).
UP NEXT
The Monarchs will trek back to the state of Virginia next weekend when they compete in the Maroon Classic hosted by Roanoke College. Methodist will face Ferrum College and Randolph College on Friday, Sept. 6, then take on Hollins University and seek redemption versus Roanoke on Saturday.
