WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. The Methodist University volleyball team's 2026 season came to an end Tuesday evening at Salem College, as the Monarchs fell 3–0 inside Varsity Gym.
Final Score: Salem def. Methodist, 3–0 (25-21, 25-11, 25-16)
Records: Methodist 13–15, Salem 24–6
Location: Varsity Gym; Winston-Salem, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
- A pair of early runs allowed Salem to jump out to a 10–5 lead in the opening set. However, kills from freshman Meghan Holzinger, sophomore Addison Johnson and senior Savannah Hovander helped cut the Methodist deficit to two, 11–9. Additional kills by Johnson and sophomore Grace Tillery, along with a block from Tillery and junior Kassidy Edge, brought the Monarchs even at 13–13.
- Salem responded by winning four of the next five points to regain control. Methodist stayed within striking distance, but the Monarchs were unable to close the gap, falling 25–21 in the opening set.
- Salem controlled the second set, quickly building a 15–3 advantage before the technical timeout. Following the break, Methodist began to find its offensive rhythm, putting together an 8–4 run led by three kills from Johnson and two from Tillery to cut the deficit to 19–11. However, the home team closed the set with six consecutive points to take it, 25–11.
- After a quieter second set, Hovander made her presence felt early in the third, recording two kills and a block to give Methodist a 3–0 lead. Salem answered with five straight points before the teams traded points through the middle portion of the set. Kills from Johnson and Edge helped keep the Monarchs within reach, but a series of Methodist attack errors allowed Salem to build a 19–12 advantage.
- The Monarchs benefited from a pair of Salem errors and added kills from Johnson and sophomore Payten Bracey to trim the deficit. However, Salem maintained its advantage and closed out the set, 25–16, to secure the 3–0 match victory.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Johnson led the Methodist offense with 11 kills, followed by Hovander with seven. Edge and Tillery each added five kills.
- Freshman Harper Evans directed the Monarchs' offense with a team-high 27 assists.
- Defensively, Edge paced Methodist with seven digs, while Evans and Johnson each contributed six.
