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The Official Athletics Site of The Methodist University monarchs Methodist University monarchs
Jamie Holton ready for attack
Ainsley McGinn
1
Salem SAL 6-3, 0-1 USA South
3
Winner Methodist MUVB 10-1, 1-0 USA South
Salem SAL
6-3, 0-1 USA South
1
Final
3
Methodist MUVB
10-1, 1-0 USA South
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Salem SAL 25 16 19 19 (1)
Methodist MUVB 14 25 25 25 (3)

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball | | Michael Spratt

Methodist Overcomes Slow Start to Win Home Opener

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Methodist University volleyball had its home opener on Tuesday, September 17, night as the team played host to Salem College in a USA South Athletic Conference contest. After a rocky start in the first set, the Monarchs composed themselves and then claimed the next three sets to defeat the Spirits 3-1, inside the March F. Riddle Center.

JUST THE FACTS
Final scores: Methodist def. Salem, 3-1 (14-25, 25-16, 25-19, 25-19)
Records: Methodist 10-1 (1-0 USA South), Salem 6-3 (0-1)
Location: March F. Riddle Center; Fayetteville, North Carolina

HOW IT HAPPENED
  • The first set was pretty even at the start, as both teams earned two points, but then a 9-2 Salem run gave the Spirits an 11-4 advantage. The Monarchs were able to get three of the next four points to get back within five points, 12-7. In fear of Methodist making a comeback, Salem called a timeout to slow down the pace of the Monarchs, and that worked in the Spirits' favor as they pulled away to an 11-point set victory.
  • The two teams were matching point-for-point to begin the second set before Methodist utilized a 6-1 run to take a 10-7 lead. This forced Salem to call a timeout, but this time around, it did not fully benefit the Spirits as kills by Monarch hitters Savannah Hovander (2), Jeanana Fowler (1), and Jamie Holton (1) helped maintain their advantage, 17-13. The set became out of reach following a six-point swing by Methodist, which includes a pair of service aces by Jessie Gober.
  • The Monarch duo of Holton and Hovander helped push their team out to a 5-2 lead in the third set. Salem came back to knot it up at five points for each side, but then an 8-3 Methodist run put the team back in front by five points (13-8). The Spirits eventually worked their way back into the set, thanks to seven kills, to tie it up at 18-18. That quickly changed as the Monarchs closed out the set on a 7-1 run, with Holton recording three kills in that span.
  • Another back-and-forth battle ensued at the beginning of the fourth set until a string of Methodist kills by Holton (3), Hovander (1), and Carlyn Tanis (1) gave the Monarchs an 11-6 edge. Salem would once again keep themselves in the set and even got within two, 13-11, but then several Spirit errors cost them dearly and put them back in a five (19-14) point hole to Methodist. Ultimately, that proved fatal for Salem as the Monarchs just mirrored points with the Spirits down the stretch before winning the match.
MORE TO IT
  • Even though Methodist won the contest, Salem had a better hitting percentage than the Monarchs, .254 to .247, respectively. This happened because Methodist (.088) had a slow start in the first set, where the Spirits (.593) came out firing.
  • Holton not only led the match in kills (19) but also co-led in digs as both her and Monarch teammate Blake O'Brien each had 15.
  • Methodist was on point with serves, claiming a nine-to-one margin over Salem. The best Monarch server was Gober, who had a season-high five service aces.
UP NEXT
Methodist goes back on the road for its next match, which is on Saturday, September 21, with the Monarchs visiting the Avenging Angels of Meredith College. The opening serve is scheduled for 4 PM.
    
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