FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The Averett University Volleyball team remained unbeaten in USA South Conference action with a pair of victories over Methodist University 3-1 and N.C. Wesleyan College 3-2 on the road Saturday afternoon.
Game 1:
Averett (6-9, 3-0 USA South) and Methodist (1-9, 0-2 USA South) would trade blows throughout the opening frame, landing at a 16-16 tie, before the Cougars rolled off and impressive 9-1 rally to take the opening frame 25-17.
However, the Monarchs capitalized on a 25-18 set 2 victory to even the match at 1-1, but Averett would get back into the win column in the third set winning 25-15, aided by a game-high .368 hitting percentage in the set to take a 2-1 match lead.
The Cougars would close out the match 25-19 in the deciding fourth frame as a late Methodist rally pulled the Monarchs within 19-16, but a 6-3 run closed out the match for the Cougars.
Junior
Myka Patterson recorded a career-high 20 digs in the victory for the Cougars, while sophomore
Zamyiah Mangum tallied a match-high 15 kills.
Additionally, freshman
Lauren Montren recorded a double-double, finishing with 12 kils and 16 digs, while senior
Madison Dadez also posted double-digit kills with 10.
Junior
McKenzie Miller dished out a match-high 37 assists, as the setter played a large part in the Cougars .246 attack percentage for the match and team nine blocks.
Game 2:
Averett would take an early 1-0 edge over N.C. Wesleyan by winning 25-21 in the opening set.
However, N.C. Wesleyan (6-8, 1-1 USA South) evened the match 1-1 with a come from behind 25-20 win in set 2.
The Battling Bishops would keep momentum in the third set winning 25-21 to take a 2-1 edge over the Cougars.
The Cougars would rebound in the fourth set with a authority, winning 25-12 backed by a .536 hitting percentage and 18 kills to even the match at 2-2.
Averett would jump out to an 8-4 lead at the switch in a deciding fifth set and hold on to take the frame 15-9 and the game 3-2.
Five Cougars finished the match with double-digit kills, led by Shropshire's career-high 16 kills. Montren finished the match with 14, Mangum and Barnes tied with 11 and Dadez added 10.
Montren recorded her second double-double on the day, adding 20 digs, while Mangum and Patterson each recorded 17 and 15, respectively.
Miller finished one assist shy of her career-high with 54 assists, nearly tallying a triple-double with nine kills and eight scoops.
Averett would finish the match with an impressive .240 hitting percentage as Barnes led the way hitting .409.
The Cougars return to action on Tuesday when they play host to conference foe Salem College at 7 p.m.
