Lady Cobras fall to Trojans in conference volleyball

MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. - Joanie Werling's nine-point service run to open the third set helped stake Mount Olive to an early double-digit lead and the Trojans extended their winning streak to four with a 25-18, 25-14, 25-12 victory over Coker in Conference Carolinas women's volleyball Wednesday at Kornegay Arena.

Mount Olive reached double figures in aces for the second consecutive match as Racey Bartley and Destiny Ma'ave-Kuewa paced the Trojans' 12-ace attack with three aces apiece.

Mount Olive (12-13 overall, 8-4 Conference Carolinas) took an early five-point lead as Bartley and Alicia Mote sparked the Trojans early on the front row. Coker (2-20, 0-13) pulled within two as Cynallyhia Indriago's kill cut the lead to 17-15. But kills by Bartley and Corie Skislak sparked a 3-0 run and the Trojans went on to take the first set.

Coker jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the second set behind Laura Beth Lee's service run. Mount Olive came back with five unanswered points to take its first lead of the set. Kari Ham put the Trojans ahead to stay as her ace and back row kill on consecutive points extended the lead to 13-8. The margin grew to 21-11 after a pair of aces by Bartley as Mount Olive took a two-set lead.

Werling opened the third set with nine consecutive service points and Mount Olive was never threatened. Ma'ave-Kuewa replaced Werling and served the next two points as the Trojans built an 11-0 lead. Coker got as close as seven, but Mallory Peavler put a third ball over with an over-the-head save from well beyond the back line to stop a Cobra run. Ma'ave-Kueva followed with three consecutive aces to build the lead back to double digits as Mount Olive closed out the win.

Bartley led a balanced attack with nine kills, while Mote and Skislak had seven kills apiece. Charmaine Harris recorded a career-high five blocks for the Trojans, while Peavler had 12 digs. Werling finished with 24 assists, two blocks and an ace. Ham served two aces, while Peavler and Marianna Gattegno each had an ace.

Peavler inched closer to the school career digs record with 1,444 career digs, moving within 59 digs of tying the record. But she says she's more concerned about continuing the team's winning streak than with setting a record.

"Of course, I think about (the record)," said Peavler, a 5-4 senior libero from Loda, Ill. "But right now, it's all about us winning. We have to play our best every night out, so we'll be ready when the conference tournament comes around."

Mount Olive served 15 aces Saturday against Queens. The back-to-back double-digit ace performance was the Trojans' first since August 31, 2007, when the Trojans reached double figures against Fairmont State and Alderson-Broaddus in the opening day of the Carson-Newman College Labor Day Classic.

Coker was led by Kristin Teets, who shared match-high honors with nine kills. Courtney Nelson (nine assists) and Trisha Moore (eight assists) combined for 17 assists. Kelsey Carlson and Laura Beth Lee added six digs apiece.

Mount Olive takes to the road this weekend for a pair of Conference Carolinas matches. The Trojans head to Banner Elk, N.C., Friday to take on Lees-McRae. Match time is 7 p.m. Mount Olive then travels to Belmont, N.C., to face Belmont Abbey as all of the Trojan fall sports teams compete at Belmont Abbey Saturday. Match time is 4:30 p.m. Coker travels to Anderson Saturday at 2 p.m. for a Conference Carolinas match-up.

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