FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. The Methodist volleyball team battled through a four-set USA South contest on Tuesday night inside the March F. Riddle Center, but visiting Meredith College came away with the 3–1 win. Senior outside hitter
Jamie Holton recorded her 1,000th career kill during the third set, becoming just the seventh Monarch in program history to reach the milestone.
Final scores: Meredith def. Methodist, 3–1 (26–24, 20–25, 25–22, 25-19)
Records: Methodist 8–9 (3–2 USA South), Meredith 9–6 (3–2 USA South)
Location: March F. Riddle Center; Fayetteville, North Carolina
How It Happened
- The opening set was tightly contested, featuring 12 ties and six lead changes. Methodist pulled ahead late at 18–13 after a 5–0 run fueled by kills from freshman Addison Johnson and junior Savannah Hovander. However, Meredith answered with a decisive six-point surge of its own to flip momentum and close out the set, 26–24.
- The Monarchs evened the match in the second set with one of their most balanced offensive efforts of the season, registering 16 kills. Holton, Johnson, and sophomore Carlyn Tanis delivered key points as Methodist pulled in front 15–12. The Avenging Angels battled back to tie it at 17, but Methodist responded with another late push, scoring three of the final four points for a 25–20 victory.
- In the pivotal third set, Meredith started strong with a 6–2 advantage, only to see Methodist respond with a 5–1 run to knot the score at 7. The teams traded points until Holton powered the Monarchs forward, collecting four kills in a 5–1 stretch that gave Methodist a 21–20 edge. One of those swings marked her 1,000th career kill. Meredith regrouped out of a timeout, though, closing on a 5–1 run to claim the set, 25–22.
- The fourth saw Meredith gradually build momentum, breaking open an 18–13 lead behind a six-point burst. Methodist fought to stay within striking distance but couldn't overcome the deficit, as Meredith sealed the match with a 25–19 decision.
Highlights
- For Holton, she became the seventh Monarch in program history to reach 1,000 career kills, with her total now sitting at 1,003.
- Holton paced the Monarchs with 18 kills and added 17 digs for a double-double. Addison Johnson followed closely with 16 kills, while Carlyn Tanis added 12.
- Freshman Charleigh Hewett directed the offense with a career-high 52 assists and showed off her defensive skills, adding 21 digs (career-high).
- Defensively, junior Mary Miller led all players with a season-high 25 digs, while Methodist as a team collected 112 (season-high).
Up Next
Methodist has a quick turnaround, traveling to Winston-Salem to face Salem College on Thursday, October 2, in a rescheduled USA South matchup. First serve is set for 7 PM.
