ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. - The NC Wesleyan College Volleyball team pulled away over the final two sets to defeat Piedmont International University (N.C.) in four sets in the Bishops' home opener Tuesday evening.

Wesleyan held the lead for the majority of the first set before taking it 25-23. Then PIU (4-4) rallied from behind to steal the second set from the Lady Bishops 26-24. Wesleyan then pulled away late in the third set to take it 25-20 for the match lead.

The Bishops then got off to a fast start leading 6-1 and 10-4 in the 4th set before going on an 8-3 run to put away the Bruins 25-17. Wesleyan recorded 11 kills on just two errors in the final set hitting .300 while they also hit .214 with 11 kills in the second and .182 with 13 kills in the second and first sets as well.

Freshman OH Aubrey Nicholson led the Bishops with 15 kills and just 5 errors hitting .345 with 4 digs, 2 aces, and an assist as well. Senior middle Hannah Thrasher then led the way in hitting percentage as she hit .533 with 9 kills and one error with five digs, 3 aces, 2 blocks, and one assist. 

Sophomore RS Sydney Barnwell also played well recording 10 kills with a block while sophomore middle Lauren Weaver and junior RS Augusta Preston combined for 10 kills as well. Weaver also added 4 total blocks and a dig. Senior setter Haileigh Riesenbeck also led the Bishops with 28 assists, an ace and five digs while fellow senior setter Kelly Ammons also added 15 assists with an ace and 9 digs. Junior libero Sam Butensky also added 12 digs, two assists, and two aces in the win.

Wesleyan, now 2-4, is back in action on Friday and Saturday when they make a trip to northwestern Pennsylvania to battle Thiel College (Pa.) on Friday evening in Meadville and Allegheny College (Pa.) on Saturday in a tri-meet.