By: Troy Baranik, Sports Information
HARRISONBURG, Va. – The North Carolina Wesleyan College Volleyball team dropped their season opener 3-0 to Marymount University (Va.) on Friday evening in the first match of the Route 42 Classic. They then also fell in three sets to host Bridgewater University on Friday evening as well.
However, The Battling Bishops would come back to edge Mary Baldwin University (Va.) in five thrilling sets on Saturday afternoon but unfortunately fell in four close sets to Lynchburg College (Va.) Saturday morning at Eastern Mennonite's campus, the joint host of the event.
NCWC 3, Mary Baldwin 2
Wesleyan came out strong taking the first set from the Squirrels 25-18 on 9 kills while MBU made 9 errors. MBU then came back to take the second set in reverse 25-18 even though Wesleyan totaled more kills in the set 11-7. NCWC then played a stellar third set wining it 25-15 behind 12 kills while hitting .263. However, the fighting Squirrels came back to dominate the fourth set 25-16 on 11 kills while hitting .300. The Battling Bishops then held on to take the fifth set 15-11 and take the match.
Freshman middle Lauren Weaver led the way with 11 kills along with 2 blocks while hitting .250. Sophomore Outside Hitter Callie Cline also added 9 kills and a very impressive 29 digs as she would go on to be named to the All-Tournament Team for her strong efforts over the weekend.
Freshman Setter Sydney Barnwell also led with 17 assists and added 9 digs while freshman DS Devin Lassiter also added fifteen digs. Sophomore RS Augusta Preston and junior middle Hannah Thrasher would also chip in 6 kills each with Preston contributing five digs while junior Autumn Spence also added five kills and 7 digs.
LYNCHBURG 3, NCWC 1
NCW squeaked out a first set win on Saturday vs. LC taking it 25-23 on just 7 kills while LC totaled more kills, but had more errors overall. Lynchburg then kept up their strong play and dominated the second set 25-13 on 13 kills forcing 8 errors from the Bishops. The next two sets were very evenly matched but, unfortunately for NCWC, the Lady Hornets came out on top 25-22 in each set.
Leading the bishop attack was Cline with 9 kills on only 2 errors as she hit .270 with 9 digs and an ace. Lassiter then led the way with 20 digs while Spence added 7 kills, 3 digs and 2 blocks. Weaver also played well with 6 kills, one ace, two digs, and 6 total blocks.
Setting-wise, Barnwell led with 16 assists along with 7 digs and a team-high 5 aces with 2 blocks and 4 kills while Kelly Ammons added 13 assists with 6 digs.
The Lady Bishops (1-3) will now return home to host non-conference foes Piedmont International and Elizabeth City St. on Wednesday in a 2 PM Tri-meet.