ROCKY MOUNT, N.C.- The NC Wesleyan volleyball team fell to nearby conference rival Peace University in three tough sets on Tuesday night inside of a boisterous Everett Gym crowd on "Dig For a Cure Pink Night".

Peace raced out to a big lead in game one and then held off a Bishop rally to take the first game 25-18. The Pacers then controlled the second set from the start to pick up the game win 25-15. A thrilling third game then saw Wesleyan jump out to a lead only to see Peace rally and retake the edge. However, NCWC came right back to tie the match at 23 behind a raucous crowd before succumbing 25-23.

Peace improved to 14-5 overall and 8-1 in the conference with the win while Wesleyan fell to 8-14 overall and 3-6 in the USA South.

Freshman right side hitter Sydney Barnwell led the Bishops by hitting her season high of .318 with 9 kills and only 2 errors with 4 assists, 5 digs and a block. Junior outside hitter Autumn Spence also played well hitting .278 with 6 kills and only one error along with 4 digs. Hannah Thrasher also had 6 kills and hit a team-best .333.

Defensively, freshman libero Devin Lassiter played well registering a team-high 21 digs with an assist while junior DS Hannah Huls also picked up nine digs. 

Junior setters Haileigh Riesenbeck and Kelly Ammons also combined for 22 assists and 11 digs with Riesenbeck adding 2 aces as well.

The Bishops are next in action on Friday night when they travel to Virginia to face Randolph College at 5:30 Pm before heading to Averett University (Va.) for a tri-match on Saturday at 2 PM.