LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Ga. Methodist volleyball continued its opening weekend Saturday with Day 2 of the Covenant Classic, facing Rhodes College in the morning before meeting host Covenant College for the second time in as many days. The Monarchs battled throughout both matches but were swept 3–0 by the Lynx and Scots.
Final scores: Rhodes def. Methodist, 3–0 (25–16, 25–20, 25–23); Covenant def. Methodist, 3–0 (25–11, 25–17, 25–22
Records: Methodist 0–3, Rhodes 2–0, Covenant 2–1
Event: Covenant Classic
Host: Covenant College
Location: Barnes PE Center; Lookout Mountain, Georgia
Match One (vs. Rhodes)
- The opening set featured several early lead changes before Rhodes put together a three-point run to take a 7–4 advantage. Methodist capitalized on several Lynx errors, along with kills from Ashley Farman and Savannah Hovander, to move in front 10–9. After another exchange of points, Rhodes seized control with an eight-point run to build a 21–14 lead. The Lynx went on to claim the opening set, 25–16.
- The Monarchs responded with a strong start in the second set, trading points with Rhodes before putting together a 9–1 run to take a 14–8 advantage. Hovander recorded two kills during the stretch, while Addison Johnson added another. Methodist maintained its lead for much of the set and held an advantage of as many as seven points, but Rhodes closed the frame on a 15–3 run to rally for a 25–20 victory and take a 2–0 lead.
- Rhodes carried its momentum into the third set, opening with a 7–2 advantage. Methodist gradually chipped away at the deficit and pulled within one at 11–10 behind two kills and a solo block from Johnson, a kill from Hovander, and a kill from Faith Driver. The Lynx again created separation, taking a 20–13 lead, but the Monarchs refused to go quietly. Methodist battled back to even the set at 23–23 before Rhodes answered with consecutive kills to secure the 25–23 win and complete the sweep.
Match Two (vs. Covenant)
- Covenant jumped out to a 13–3 lead in the opening set. Methodist cut into the deficit behind kills from Kassidy Edge and Grace Tillery, along with several Scots errors, but Covenant quickly answered by winning five of the next six points to take a 20–7 advantage. The Monarchs won four of the next six points, but the Scots closed the set by taking the final three points to win 25–11.
- Methodist showed improvement in the second set, trading points with Covenant throughout the early stages. The Monarchs trailed by just two at 14–12 before the Scots pulled away late with an 11–3 run to take the set 25–17.
- The third set was Methodist's best of the match. The Monarchs kept pace with Covenant early before four consecutive points, including three kills from Johnson, gave Methodist an 11–9 lead. Covenant responded by winning five of the next six points to regain the lead at 14–12. The teams continued to trade points throughout the remainder of the set, but the Scots managed to secure the final few points and take the frame 25–22, completing the 3–0 sweep.
MORE TO IT
- Johnson paced the Methodist offense with 19 total kills, including a match-high 11 kills against Covenant. Hovander added 13 kills across the two matches, with nine coming against Rhodes.
- Freshman Harper Evans continued her solid start to the season while setting up the Monarch attack, recording 25 total assists between the two matches.
Up Next
Methodist will have a week off before returning to action at the Maroon Classic in Salem, Virginia, hosted by Roanoke College. The Monarchs open play Friday, September 11, against Hollins University at noon before facing Randolph College at 4 PM.
