VIRGINIA BEACH -- After three years of losing to North Carolina Wesleyan College, the Virginia Wesleyan College Marlins ended the streak Wednesday with a 3-0 victory over the Battling Bishops at the Jane P. Batten Student Center.

The young Marlin team improved to 4-1 with 25-23, 25-19 and 25-18 decisions in the non-conference contest.  NCWC dropped to 0-3.

Virginia Wesleyan appeared to take control early as the Marlins jumped out to a 9-2 lead in the first game. But, the play of 6-foot rookie Victoria Stewart (Purcellville/Loudoun Valley) helped pull North Carolina Wesleyan back into the competition.  The Bishops eventually tied the score at 16, before plays by juniorAlex Lambert (Alexandria/Hayfield) and Kristin Sessoms (Virginia Beach/Bayside) pushed VWC into an 18-16 lead.

NCWC tied the score again at 22, only to see Lambert come through with a crucial point to give the Marlins the upperhand for the rest of the game.

After trailing 2-1 in the second game, Virginia Wesleyan opened up a 7-2 lead with the help of the serving of sophomore Marin Crowder (Charlottesville/Western Albemarle), including three aces. The Marlins led the rest of the way, shaking off the Bishops who pulled within an 11-9 game behind Stewart. Junior Kelsey Caviston (Laxena/Warhill), sophomore Rosalind Ludovici (Virginia Beach/First Colonial) and rookie Tiffany Barrett (Stafford/North Stafford) all provided key points down the stretch to keep VWC safely in front.

Lambert, Caviston and Crowder helped Virginia Wesleyan to open up a 4-0 lead in the third game and the Marlins never looked back. Junior Michaela Holbrooks (Brookneal/William Campbell) emerged with key plays for the Marlins who led 18-12 late in the game. NCWC never got closer than four points the rest of the way.

Caviston led Virginia Wesleyan with 12 kills, followed by Lambert with 10. Sessoms contributed with 20 assists and Amberlyn Daiglin (Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown) finished with 11. Crowder provided a game-high 18 digs and five aces.

Stewart finished with 11 kills for NCWC. Kayla White (Prattville, Ala./Prattville) recorded 12 assists.

Virginia Wesleyan competes again on Friday, Sept. 6, and Saturday, Sept. 7  in the Randolph-Macon College Invitational in Ashland. The Marlins take on Texas' Trinity University at 2:30 p.m. on Friday and face the host R-MC team at 7:30 p.m.

--AMDG--