Rocky Mount, N.C. - The N.C. Wesleyan volleyball team opened the home portion of its 2013 schedule on Wednesday night in Everett Gym, dropping a tightly-contested 3-1 league match to Meredith College. Set scores were 31-29, 22-25, 25-20 and 25-19. Senior Heather Hunter notched a career-high 12 digs on the night, while freshman sister Evie Hunter tallied a career-high 10 kills.

Playing in front of large home crowd for the first time in most of the young team's careers, the Bishops came out on fire in the first set and quickly forged a 14-4 lead behind the net play of senior Taylor Johnson and freshman Tori Stewart. Later holding a 23-17 advantage, the Bishops watched the Angels reel off five of the next six points for a 24-22 score and then fight off a series of six set points before stealing a 31-29 win.

The Bishops rebounded with a 25-22 win the second set behind a team-high 15 kills, setting the stage for a pivotal third set that saw the two teams battle to a 19-19 tie. Unfortunately, back-to-back kills by MC's Molly Markley and Karlie Long were followed by a trio of NCWC attack errors, helping the Angels pull away for a 25-20 win and 2-1 lead in the match.

Tied 14-14 in the fourth set, Meredith took control by pushing four straight points, and Wesleyan would not recover en route to the Angels' 25-19 set and match win.

Stewart finished with a match- and career-high 20 kills, while Johnson chipped in 12. Sophomore Kayla White dished out a season-high 39 assists, and freshman libero Christina Huber racked up 21 digs.  Freshman Beth Bradham added 12 digs of her own, with White and Stewart completing double-doubles with 16 and 12 digs, respectively.

For Meredith (7-6, 3-1 USA South), Long turned in a team-high 17 kills and 26 digs. 

Wesleyan (2-11, 1-3 USA South) continues USA South play on Friday with two matches at Averett University. The Bishops will take on the host Cougars at 2:00pm, followed by a 6:00pm match-up with Ferrum College.