Raleigh, N.C. - The N.C. Wesleyan volleyball squad opened its 2016 season on Thursday evening at William Peace University, dropping a heartbreaking five-setter to the Pacers in Raleigh (17-25, 22-25, 25-21, 27-25, 15-11).
After Wesleyan raced out to a 2-0 lead with impressive wins in the first two sets, the Pacers stayed alive with a 25-21 win in the third. The Bishops later secured a pair of match points by forging a 24-22 advantage in the fourth, but WPU managed to reel off five of the next six points for a 27-25 victory.
The Pacers proceeded to go up 7-2 early in the fifth and deciding set, and the Bishops would get no closer than three points the rest of the way as Peace was able to earn the improbable come-from-behind win.
Senior Tori Stewart paced the Bishops with a double-double of 25 kills and 19 digs. Evie Hunter also reached double-figures with 11 kills, while setter Ayla Brewer dished out 38 assists. Libero Christina Huber anchored the defensive effort with 22 digs.
Wesleyan returns to action this weekend with four matches at the Averett University Invitational.