FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. Earning an impressive win at home on Saturday, the Methodist volleyball team took down Southern Virginia University by a score of 3–1. The Monarchs found the most success through
Addison Johnson and
Savannah Hovander, who each had 13 kills in the four–set victory.
It's the first time that Methodist has defeated Southern Virginia since the Knights joined the USA South Athletic Conference, snapping a nine–match losing streak in the series.
Final scores: Methodist def. Southern Virginia, 3–1 (25–13, 25–20, 22–25, 25–16)
Records: Methodist 10–11 (5–4 USA South), Southern Virginia 12–6 (6–3 USA South)
Location: March F. Riddle Center; Fayetteville, North Carolina
How It Happened
The Monarchs quickly claimed a 10–4 lead after a run that saw two service aces by
Mary Miller and one by
Carlyn Tanis, prompting the visitors to use their first timeout. The Knights settled in momentarily and pulled back within two, but Methodist took 12 of the final 14 points to leave no doubt in the first set.
A pair of kills by
Jamie Holton pushed the Monarchs to a 4–1 advantage to start the second set. Southern Virginia drew even at 8–8, but Methodist won five of the next six points, capped off by back–to–back kills for
Railyn Fowler and
Charleigh Anne Hewett. The Knights hung around, but Johnson and Tanis helped fuel Methodist to a 2–0 set lead, each tallying four kills during the set.
Four consecutive points with an attack error by Southern Virginia gave Methodist a 4–0 lead to start the third. Fowler, Tanis, Johnson and Hovander each recorded a kill as the Monarchs' lead grew to five points with a score of 9–5. Just when momentum seemed to be all in favor of the home team, the Knights put together an 8–3 run to go up 13–12. Methodist stuck close but was unable to get back in front, falling by three points in the third set.
After a back–and–forth start to the fourth set, the teams met at a 13–13 tie. Two kills in a row for Fowler gave Methodist the edge, and from there the Monarchs would not relinquish the lead. Methodist's final 10 points included a trio of kills by Johnson, two services aces by Tanis and one ace from the hand of Miller.
Highlights
Tanis and Miller each recorded five services aces on the afternoon (matching a collegiate career high for Miller). Tanis was also one of three Monarchs to finish the match with a double–double. She saw 11 kills and 17 digs, while fellow hitter Johnson produced 13 kills and 17 digs. At the setter position, Hewett racked up 39 assists and 10 digs.
As a team, Methodist finished with 87 digs, which is the second most in a single match this season. Miller led the team with 24, marking her fifth straight match with over 20 digs.
Up Next
Methodist will be back at home on Thursday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.
Fans are encouraged to bring canned goods and other non–perishable food items to support Methodist's Student–Athlete Advisory Committee in the USA South's Cans Across the Conference food drive competition. Items collected at Methodist will be donated to Fayetteville Urban Ministry — a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing resources to those in need in the Cumberland County, N.C. area.
