ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. -- North Carolina Wesleyan College's hold on Virginia Wesleyan College in women's volleyball has extended one more year.

The previously winless Battling Bishops upset the Marlins for the third consecutive year in non-conference competition on Tuesday, winning 27-25, 18-25, 25-13, 29-27. While NCWC improved to 1-2, VWC fell to 3-2.

NCWC led 13-9 in the fourth set before Kala Guy (Fishersville/Wilson Memorial) and Tempe Martens (Severna Park, Md./Severna Park) played strong at the net to push Virginia Wesleyan to a 20-18 lead.  But, the Marlins could not make it stick. The teams tied at 25, 26 and 27 before a kill by the Bishops' Lauren Right (Richmond, Va./James River) pushed the host team into a 28-27 lead.  NCWC took the win on a VWC error.

Guy turned in an outstanding effort with 27 kills, a new VWC single-match record.  It broke the former Marlin mark of 24 kills set by Lauren Heltsley against Lynchburg College in 2004 and tied by Rebecca Leedom against Bridgewater College in 2008. Guy also recorded 19 digs for the Marlins, who received 18 kills and 15 digs from Martens.  Sophomore Mallory Slade (Burlington, N.C./Eastern Almanance) recorded 47 assists. The Marlins were hurt by 36 errors.

Taylor Johnson (Goldsboro, N.C./Rosewood) led NCWC with 17 kills. Meredith Smith (Mebane, N.C./Eastern Almanance) added 10 kills and 20 digs and Shana Ayers (Frankfort, Ky./Western Hills) recorded 21 kills.

Virginia Wesleyan returns to competition on Friday, Sept. 7 in the Hollins Invitational, facing 3-0 Virginia Intermont and 2-2 Gettysburg College.  On Saturday, Sept. 8 the Marlins take on 3-1 Meredith and Georgia's Wesleyan College, which opens its season in the tournament.

--AMDG--