Volleyball Wins Marathon Match at N.C. Wesleyan

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. – The Virginia Wesleyan College volleyball team outlasted N.C. Wesleyan for five sets on Tuesday night to defeat the Battling Bishops in non-conference action, 15-25, 25-18, 25-20, 20-25, 15-9.

Virginia Wesleyan was looking to close out the match in the fourth set, leading 4-3, but N.C. Wesleyan would make sure that was the last lead in the set the Marlins would have. The Battling Bishops snared all the momentum in the fourth set when a service error ended the set, netting the home team a 25-20 victory.

The Marlins charged out to an early 6-0 lead in the fifth set. Two kills, one each from Tiffany Barrett and Amber Matalus, combined with three attack errors and a block by Kristina Scott and Matalus set VWC in prime position for the win.

N.C. Wesleyan closed the gap to 7-5, but the Marlins scored eight of the next 12 points to clinch the victory.

Matalus led the Marlins with 12 kills on a .611 hitting percentage. Emilee Pierson posted 26 assists while Maddie Starr broke her career high with 26 digs.

Tori Stewart led N.C. Wesleyan (2-5) with 16 kills and 18 digs while Ayla Brewer contributed a match-high 48 assists.

Virginia Wesleyan (5-5) travels to Guilford College on Saturday for a pair of conference matches against Emory & Henry and Guilford. Play is scheduled to start at 11 a.m.