Misenheimer, NC. — North Carolina Wesleyan closed out the 2026 season Saturday afternoon with a hard-fought five-set battle against Pfeiffer University inside Merner Gym.
The Battling Bishops came out strong in the opening set, taking control early and earning a 25-14 victory. Pfeiffer answered with a 25-19 win in the second, but Wesleyan responded once again in the third, taking the frame 25-21 to move ahead 2-1 in the match.
Pfeiffer forced a deciding fifth set with a 25-13 victory in the fourth. The final frame featured 10 ties as the two teams battled point-for-point before the Falcons narrowly came away with a 15-13 win to take the match 3-2.
Kendall Gleason led the Wesleyan attack with 10 kills, while Sadie Schramm added seven. Kinsey Peel finished with six kills, Caroline York and Ashley Hinton each added five, and Brooklynn Covic contributed four.
Peel and Emilee Wilson shared the setting duties, finishing with 14 and 13 assists, respectively. Peel also collected a team-high 19 digs, while Jadyn Smith added 19 and Brooke Mandozzi finished with 15. Chloe Baggett contributed 11 digs as the Bishops totaled 83 for the match.
Wesleyan also made an impact at the net with three solo blocks and 10 block assists. Gleason recorded a solo block and three block assists, while Lillian Rafferty added two solo blocks and a block assist.
The match marked the final contest of the season for North Carolina Wesleyan and the final collegiate match for the program's seniors. A special thank you goes to Jadyn Smith, Jenna Jade Pilkenton and manager Mackenzie Landers for the time, commitment and leadership they have given to the Battling Bishop volleyball program. Their contributions have extended well beyond the court, and North Carolina Wesleyan Athletics thanks each of them for the impact they have made on their teammates, coaches and the program as a whole.
