Winston-Salem, NC. — North Carolina Wesleyan closed out Saturday's tri-match with a strong four-set victory over Johnson & Wales University Charlotte at the Athletics Complex.
The Battling Bishops came out firing, taking the opening set 25-19 before carrying that momentum into the second frame for a 25-18 win and a 2-0 match advantage. Johnson & Wales answered in the third with a 25-21 victory, but Wesleyan responded in a tightly contested fourth set and finished off the match with a 28-26 win to secure the 3-1 victory.
Ashley Hinton led the Wesleyan attack with 12 kills while also adding eight digs and five service aces. Brooklynn Covic followed with 11 kills, while Emilee Wilson, Lillian Rafferty and Sadie Schramm each contributed six. Caroline York added two kills in limited action.
Wilson once again directed the offense with 33 assists while also contributing six kills, seven digs and a service ace. Jadyn Smith led the defensive effort with 26 digs and added two service aces, while Hinton chipped in eight digs.
The Bishops also turned in a strong performance from the service line, finishing with 15 aces as a team. Brooke Mandozzi and Hinton each recorded five aces, while Smith added two and Wilson, Kylee Heath and Cheney Jackson each added one.
North Carolina Wesleyan finished the match with 50 kills and 57 digs, using a balanced offensive effort and strong serving to close the tri-match with a victory.
