FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  After being on the road for its first 13 matches, the Methodist volleyball team had its first two home appearances of the season on Saturday, hosting a USA South Tri-Match with Brevard College and Mary Baldwin University coming into town. The Monarchs gave their fans plenty to cheer about as they pulled off a pair of 3-0 sweeps against the Tornados and the Fighting Squirrels to begin league play.

Final scores: Methodist def. Brevard, 3–0 (25–17, 25–17, 25–16); Methodist def. Mary Baldwin, 3–0 (25–11, 25–16, 25–20)
Records: Methodist 7–8 (2-1 USA South), Brevard 3–10 (1-1), Mary Baldwin 5–6 (0-2)
Event: USA South Tri-Match
Host: Methodist
Location: March F. Riddle Center; Fayetteville, North Carolina

Game One

• The Monarchs established control early against the Tornados, racing out to a 6–2 lead on back-to-back kills from freshman Addison Johnson and another from Carlyn Tanis. Though Brevard closed within four midway through, Methodist used a 4–0 burst capped by a Johnson kill to push the margin to 18–10. The Monarchs stayed consistent down the stretch, hitting .368 in the frame with 17 total kills, while setter Charleigh Hewett handed out 15 assists en route to a 25–17 win.
• The second set showcased the Monarchs' most efficient stretch of the day. After a 7–5 edge in the early rallies, Methodist caught fire with a 7–1 run powered by Savannah Hovander and Jamie Holton, who each had two kills in that span. Methodist posted an outstanding .515 hitting percentage with 19 kills in the frame, limiting itself to just two errors. Railyn Fowler closed the door with three straight points as Methodist grabbed another 25–17 win.
• Brevard grabbed its first lead of the match early in set three, going up 5–4, but the Monarchs immediately responded with a decisive 10–3 run sparked by Johnson, Hovander, and Tanis. A later 7–0 run stretched the advantage even further, and Johnson's 14th kill of the day sealed a 25–16 victory and the sweep. Methodist swung .519 as a team in the closing set, its best percentage of the match.

Game Two

• Methodist carried its momentum into the second match of the day, coming out hot against Mary Baldwin. The Monarchs hit .464 as a team with 15 kills and only two errors in the opening set. Johnson and Tanis provided the early spark, helping MU build a 10–4 lead, and a late 7–0 run punctuated by kills from Jamie Holton put the set away, 25–11.
• The Monarchs kept rolling in the second set, jumping out to a 10–3 lead behind two kills apiece from Hovander and Tanis. The Fighting Squirrels struggled to find rhythm, committing three straight attack errors that widened the gap to 16–6. Though MBU clawed back to make it 23–16, Methodist remained steady, finishing the frame 25–16 to take a two-set lead.
• Mary Baldwin showed its best fight in the third, pulling within two points on multiple occasions. Methodist built a 7–3 lead before MBU narrowed it to 8–6 and later 17–15. At 21–18, Grace Tillery sparked a 5–1 Monarchs run with a clutch kill, and down the stretch, Fowler and Hovander closed out the set with kills to secure a 25–20 decision and complete the sweep.

Highlights

• Johnson led the way with 21 kills on the day (14 vs. Brevard, 7 vs. Mary Baldwin). Hovander followed closely with 19 kills across both matches.
• Methodist out-hit its opponents, swinging .459 against Brevard and .296 against Mary Baldwin.

Up Next
The Monarchs return to the court on Tuesday, September 23, traveling to North Carolina Wesleyan University for another USA South matchup. First serve is scheduled for 7 PM.