ROANOKE, Va.  Rolling through the competition, the Methodist women's volleyball team picked up another pair of wins on Saturday, handily defeating Hollins University before earning a win over Roanoke College in a marathon of a match that lasted five sets. The Monarchs finished the Maroon Classic with a perfect 4–0 record, while Jeanana Fowler was named to the All­–Tournament team.

Methodist's lone loss to its record so far this season came at the hands of Roanoke in a five–set match at the Cougar Classic. In similar fashion, the Monarchs flipped the script and avenged that loss on Roanoke's home court on Saturday. 

Final scores: Methodist def. Hollins, 3–0 (25–14, 25–17, 25–19); Methodist def. Roanoke, 3–2 (25–17, 32–30, 25–27, 29–31, 15–4)
Records: Methodist 7–1, Hollins 1–7, Roanoke 5–3
Event: Maroon Classic
Host: Roanoke College
Location: Cregger Center; Roanoke, Virginia
 
GAME ONE

• The Monarchs quickly captured a 5–2 advantage, then stretched their lead to make the score 11–4 after a six–point run with two kills each by Savannah Hovander, Carlyn Tanis and Hannah Spexarth. The Methodist lead grew to eight points when Fowler, Hovander and Jamie Holton recorded three consecutive kills that made the score 17–9. Continuing to control the flow of the match, the Monarchs won the first set, 25–14.
• After falling behind 4–3 to begin the second set, Methodist produced a six–point run, which included kills by Fowler and Mahala Carter. The Monarchs later completed a second six–point run (with two kills by Hovander and two service aces by Holton) to make the score 20–10, helping them be the first team to reach 25 points once again.
• Methodist found itself down 9–5 in the third set but managed to take the lead during a five–point run that made the score 15–13. Tanis and Hovander worked together for two blocks during that run. Hollins tied the score at 17–17, but the Monarchs pieced together another five–point streak, with two service aces by Hovander. Methodist's final two points of the match were earned by freshmen Railyn Fowler and Kassidy Edge, who each recorded the first kill of their collegiate career during the match.

GAME TWO

• Methodist got off to a hot start, earning an 8–3 lead. The Monarchs held Roanoke at bay for the remainder of the first set, not allowing the Maroons within less than two points.
• With an 11–10 edge in the second set, the Monarchs conceded seven of the next eight points to the Maroons to go down 17–12. Major contributions from Jeanana Fowler, who earned kills on Methodist's 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th points, helped the Monarchs to catch up with their opponent and tie the set at 21–21. The teams traded points one and two at a time until the Monarchs finally won the battle. Fowler's dominance helped Methodist hang with the Maroons, as the senior recorded kills on points 25–29 for the Monarchs. Methodist's final three points of the set were earned by Hovander.
• A back–and–forth third set saw a 12–12 deadlock midway through the period, but the teams soon exchanged larger streaks, starting with a four–point swing for Methodist. Roanoke responded with four consecutive points of its own, but the Monarchs countered with another four–point run. Methodist kept the lead up until a 23–21 Monarch edge flipped and became a 24–23 advantage for the Maroons. Methodist responded with a kill by Hovander and an ace by Hannah Hewett, but Roanoke stalled the Monarchs' momentum with a timeout before taking three straight points to win the set.
• Roanoke and Methodist saw multiple large streaks in the fourth set, starting with a six–point run that put the Maroons ahead 10–5. A four–point run later extended the home team's lead, making the score 17–12. Down 21–16, the Monarchs collected six straight points (bolstered by three Jeanana Fowler kills) to capture a one–point lead, but Roanoke would eventually win the set.
• Methodist wasted no time in the fifth set, taking a 7–1 lead. After Roanoke's second point, Blake O'Brien assisted Holton on the eight point for the Monarchs, sparking a four–point run. Not letting their foot off the gas, the Monarchs outpaced the Maroons and won the race to 15.

 
MORE TO IT

• Jeanana Fowler had an impressive outing, notching a career–high 29 kills during the five–setter with Roanoke. She also contributed two solo blocks and four block assists, which adds to her kills for a career–high 33 points.
• With Fowler taking care of Methodist's kills, hitter Jamie Holton found a way to influence the game elsewhere, recording a career–high 18 digs.
• Seeing her first collegiate action, freshman Madison Carter appeared in two sets versus Hollins, recording eight assists and one dig. 

UP NEXT
Methodist's final non–conference road trip puts the Monarchs in Maryland for a tri–match at St. Mary's College. Methodist will face the host Seahawks on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 1 p.m. then take on the Hornets of Shenandoah University at 3 p.m.