FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Methodist University women's volleyball team took care of business in their USA South Tri-Match, taking command of their offensive gameplay in both Monarchs contests, sweeping Brevard College and Mary Baldwin University 3-0 in each clash inside the March F. Riddle Center Friday afternoon.
Final Score (Game One): Methodist def. Brevard, 3-0 (25-12, 25-21, 25-23)
Final Score (Game Two): Methodist def. Mary Baldwin, 3-0 (25-7, 25-15, 25-10)
Records: Methodist 7-8 (4-3 USA South), Brevard 7-9 (4-2 USA South), Mary Baldwin 1-13 (0-6 USA South)
Location: March F. Riddle Center; Fayetteville, N.C.
Match One (vs. Brevard)
- The Monarchs began the contest off strong, collecting an early nine-point run on the back of freshman Harper Evans, placing her serves with perfection against her foes to record three service aces. Sophomore Addison Johnson added to that tally with two kills for the Monarchs, ultimately leading Methodist to snatch the set point over Brevard, 25-12.
- For the Monarchs and the Tornados, the second stanza was any team's game. Caroline Moon for Brevard collected two kills within the first ten points of the set, which eventually followed for the Monarchs with sophomore Ashley Farman striking on two kills of her own. Two kills by Johnson would ultimately lead Methodist to prevail, earning the set point, 25-21 in favor of the Monarchs.
- Sophomore Grace Tillery led Methodist off with two kills in the closing set. Brevard fought back quickly with two kills by Elly McClough and additional scores by four other Tornados players. However, Brevard would ultimately be subdued from the Monarchs stellar offensive gameplay, with senior Savannah Hovander closing the match with a kill to seal a tight 25-23 set victory in the match win, 3-0 for the Monarchs.
Match Two (vs. Mary Baldwin)
- Junior Kassidy Edge kicked things off in the rubber match with a pair of kills that was followed by senior Faith Driver who collected two kills in the opening 11-point run for the Monarchs. It was a team effort to cruise to the finish for Methodist, as Tillery's two kills within the final five points closed the set victory for the Monarchs 25-7 over the Fighting Squirrels.
- Mary Baldwin began to strike in the second stanza off defensive miscues by Methodist, swinging the pendulum in the favor of the Fighting Squirrels. Four kills by Savannah Hovander allowed the Monarchs to fight back in the middle stages of the period. Addison Johnson was a force to be reckoned with for Mary Baldwin in the final stages of set two, recording five straight kills for the Monarchs in a 25-15 set victory.
- Harper Evans cruised in the beginning stages of the final stanza, throwing her foes off their game with four service aces to commence set three for the Monarchs. Hovander and Tillery would close out the set and the match, cashing in two kills each, 25-10, with Tillery's kills collecting Methodist's second victory of the afternoon, 3-0 over Mary Baldwin.
More To It
- Addison Johnson and Savannah Hovander led the Monarchs offensively against the Tornados with 11 kills and Grace Tillery each not far behind with nine kills during the evenly contributed performance for Methodist.
- Alongside having 35 assists, Harper Evans collected a collegiate career-best five service aces, driving the Monarchs commanding offensive outing versus Brevard.
- Grace Tillery dominated defensively for Methodist against Brevard, connecting five blocks to steer the game flow in the favor of the Monarchs.
- Addison Johnson led the Monarchs offensively with 14 kills in total, followed by Savannah Hovander with 12 kills in the rubber match.
- Harper Evans matched her career-best tally with five service aces to close out the tri-match sweep for Methodist against Brevard and Mary Baldwin.
Up Next
Methodist continues their home stand with another USA South clash on Wednesday, October 7th, as the Monarchs battle Salem College (N.C.) with first serve slated for 7:00 PM.
