Mount Olive, NC – Southern Wesleyan fell in a 3-0 final to the University of Mount Olive Trojans on Saturday afternoon.
The Warriors accumulated 30 kills in the match up against the Trojans. Freshman Mikaylah Hutton led the team with nine kills. Of the 29 assists, Hannah Wilson picked up 12. Michaela Andress, Wilson, and Angel Jimnez each had service aces.
The Warriors picked up 47 digs with Micheala Andress leading the team with 12. Southern Wesleyan blocked 15 attacks by Mount Olive. Gracie Wilson led the team with six blocks while Megan Gilliland, Andress and Sarah Mitchell had two blocks each.
Match Vitals
Set One Final: Mount Olive 25, Southern Wesleyan 13
Set Two Final: Mount Olive 25, Southern Wesleyan 19
Set Three Final: Mount Olive 26, Southern Wesleyan 24
Records: Southern Wesleyan (7-8 / CC 4-5) Mount Olive (12-6 / CC 9-2)
How It Happened
Set One
The Trojans charged out of the gate as Callie Mullins, Kaitlyn Landis and Karoline Cox each laid down kills. Southern Wesleyan came to within one on an ace by Angel Jimenez. Mount Olive pushed on as Cox laid down another kill and Caroline Sheaffer served in the Trojans first ace of the afternoon. Andress and Trinity Gibson got up to block another attack by Mount Olive. Kills by Micheala Andress and Karson Haley allowed the Warriors to stay within five points of the Trojans. Mount Olive would not relent their attacks as Mullins and Cox each put down more kills. Karson Haley collected a pass by Amiyah Spann to put down another kill. However, Mount Olive pushed on to take the first set 25-13.
Set Two
Mount Olive struck first again in the second set as Callie Mullins and Karoline Cox each put down kills. Southern Wesleyan fought back as they went on a five point run that began off a kill by Micheala Andress. The Trojans countered as kills by Kaitlyn Landis allowed them to regain the lead. Mikaylah Hutton and Trinity Gibson each laid down kills. Mount Olive pushed on as Kate Carter went on the attack, but Gracie Wilson blocked her attack from paying off. Southern Wesleyan fought back as kills by Megan Gilliland, Mikaylah Hutton and Karson Haley kept them within two points of Mount Olive. The rally was not enough as the Trojans went on to win the second set in a 25-19 final.
Set Three
A kill by Breanna Reisinger kicked off the third set for Mount Olive, but a kill by Megan Gilliland quickly allowed Southern Wesleyan to tie the set up. The Trojans pushed on to take a four point lead off a kill by Kaitlyn Landis. Southern Wesleyan rallied back as Mikaylah Hutton laid down a kill and then Sarah Mitchell and Micheala Andress blocked an attack by Ashlyn Stone. Mount Olive pushed on as they went on a five point run to take a 16-7 point lead over Southern Wesleyan. The Warriors were not done as they went on a twelve point run that was spearheaded by kills by Hutton and Gracie Wilson to give them an 18-16 point advantage. Hutton put down another kill and then Sarah Mitchell blocked an attack by Karoline Cox to extend the Warriors lead to 22-18. Mount Olive tied the set back up as Ashlyn Stone and Kate Carter blocked an attack by Megan Gilliland. Mitchell laid down a kill to give the Warriors back a 24-22 point lead. However, Mount Olive would not relent as an ace by Breanna Tanton allowed them to claim the final set in a 26-24 final.
What's Next
The Warriors will remain on the road on October 23 as they travel to Due West, SC to take on the Erskine Flying Fleet at 6pm. They will then travel to Pembroke, NC to take on the UNC Pembroke Braves on October 25 before traveling to Florence, SC to take on the Francis Marion Patriots on October 26. Southern Wesleyan will travel to Young Harris, GA to take on the Young Harris Mountain Lions on October 30.
