FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. The Methodist volleyball team played its final non-conference match of the regular season Thursday evening, hosting Johnson & Wales University Charlotte. After taking a competitive first set, the Monarchs dominated the next two frames to secure a 3–0 sweep inside the March F. Riddle Center.
Final Score: Methodist def. Johnson & Wales, 3–0 (25-18, 25-12, 25-12)
Records: Methodist 10–9, Johnson & Wales 7–15
Location: March F. Riddle Center; Fayetteville, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Sophomore Addison Johnson opened the match with back-to-back kills to give Methodist an early lead. Johnson & Wales responded, however, keeping the score close before taking an 8–5 advantage. The Monarchs answered with six consecutive points to regain the lead at 11–8, fueled by kills from Johnson, seniors Faith Driver and Savannah Hovander, and freshman Harper Evans. Methodist maintained control down the stretch, using a pair of 4–0 runs to pull away and claim the opening set, 25–18.
- The second set began with both teams trading points before a pair of Hovander kills and a service ace from Kassidy Edge helped the Monarchs build a 7–3 lead. Methodist maintained its advantage before Johnson and sophomore Grace Tillery sparked a nine-point run that extended the lead to 20–7. Johnson added three more kills during the closing stretch, while Tillery contributed another as the Monarchs cruised to a 25–12 set victory.
- Methodist controlled the third set from the outset, racing to a 15–3 lead behind a strong performance from Edge, who accounted for four points with two kills and two service aces. The Monarchs continued to build their advantage with an 8–3 run, highlighted by freshman Meghan Holzinger recording her first collegiate kill, to make it 23–6. Johnson & Wales put together a late five-point run, but Methodist closed out the match by claiming the final two points for another 25–12 victory.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Johnson led all players with 15 kills, while Hovander and Tillery each added eight.
- The Monarchs posted a .374 hitting percentage, compared to .011 for the Wildcats.
- Ashley Farman paced Methodist with 12 digs, narrowly ahead of Johnson's 11.
- Evans finished with a match-high 30 assists.
Up Next
Methodist returns to USA South play on Saturday, October 17, traveling to William Peace University. First serve is scheduled for 5 PM.
