ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. The Methodist University volleyball team battled through five sets on Wednesday evening, traveling to North Carolina Wesleyan University for a USA South matchup. The Monarchs came away with a hard-fought 3–2 victory over the Battling Bishops, winning the decisive fifth set inside Everett Gymnasium.
Final Score: Methodist def. N.C. Wesleyan, 3–2 (22-25, 25-21, 23-25, 25-20, 22-20)
Records: Methodist 11–10 (7–5 USA South), N.C. Wesleyan 6–15 (1–10 USA South)
Location: Everett Gymnasium; Rocky Mount, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
- North Carolina Wesleyan gained early momentum, using a pair of service aces to build a 3–1 advantage before extending its lead to 7–2. Methodist responded with kills from Addison Johnson and Savannah Hovander, helping the Monarchs gradually close the gap. Hovander delivered multiple kills during the middle portion of the set, while Johnson and Grace Tillery also contributed offensively. Methodist pulled within one point at 21–22, but the Battling Bishops answered with consecutive points to take the opening set, 25–22.
- The Monarchs bounced back in the second set, trading points with the Battling Bishops through an early stretch that featured kills from Johnson and Hovander. Methodist began to create separation with a strong run in the middle of the set, highlighted by a kill from Hovander and a service ace from Payten Bracey. The teams continued to exchange points, with Johnson providing key offensive production as the Monarchs worked to maintain their advantage. Methodist closed out the set, 25–21, to even the match at one set apiece.
- The third set remained tightly contested, with both teams trading points and neither side able to establish a commanding lead. Methodist found offensive contributions from Johnson, Hovander and Tillery, while Harper Evans continued to distribute the ball across the attack. The Monarchs held a 21–19 advantage late in the set after a service ace, but North Carolina Wesleyan rallied to tie the score at 21–21. Johnson responded with a kill to put Methodist back in front, and another Johnson kill made it 23–21. The Battling Bishops, however, scored the final four points to claim the set, 25–23, and take a 2–1 lead in the match.
- Facing a must-win set, Methodist overcame an early deficit and gradually took control. After North Carolina Wesleyan moved ahead 6–2, the Monarchs answered with kills from Johnson and Hovander to begin their comeback. Methodist tied the score at 7–7 following a run of points that included a Johnson kill and an attack from Hovander. The teams continued trading points before the Monarchs put together another important stretch, taking a 12–9 lead with help from a pair of North Carolina Wesleyan attack errors. Methodist maintained its advantage through the middle of the set, with Hovander and Johnson supplying key kills and Tillery contributing at the net. The Monarchs pulled away late and secured the 25–20 win, forcing a decisive fifth set.
- The deciding set delivered a back-and-forth battle, featuring several ties and lead changes. Methodist opened with a 4–1 advantage, highlighted by kills from Johnson and Hovander and a service ace from Kassidy Edge. North Carolina Wesleyan responded with a run of its own to tie the score at 4–4 and later moved ahead, but the Monarchs continued to answer. Hovander recorded a service ace, and Johnson added a kill as Methodist built an 8–6 lead. The teams traded points through the second half of the set, with Johnson and Hovander continuing to produce kills and Faith Driver adding an important point. The score was tied at 13–13 before Bracey recorded a service ace to put Methodist ahead, 14–13. The Battling Bishops fought back to tie the set at 14, and the teams continued trading points deep into the deciding frame. With the score tied at 20–20, Methodist came through with two consecutive points to close out the set, 22–20, and complete the 3–2 comeback victory.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Johnson led the Monarchs with career highs of 24 kills and 24 digs, recording a double-double while hitting .400.
- Hovander added 21 kills while hitting .326, along with six digs and two blocks.
- Evans also recorded a career high with 54 assists, directing the Methodist offense throughout the five-set battle.
- Sophomore Ashley Farman contributed 17 digs.
- Methodist finished with 63 kills and 81 digs as a team, overcoming N.C. Wesleyan's 56 kills and 78 digs.
Up Next
The Monarchs return to the March F. Riddle Center on Saturday, October 24, hosting Greensboro College in a 1 PM matchup.
