-written by senior Mary Catherine Davis

SALEM, Va. - The NC Wesleyan Volleyball Team fell in a heartbreaking match to ODAC opponent Roanoke College in a close five-setter, 20-25, 25-22, 17-25, 25-22, and 16-18. 

Senior outside hitter Caitlin Leggett hit a personal best for this season, a .323 with 11 kills, only 1 error, and 3 block assists. Senior middle hitter Sydney Barnwell contributed 11 kills to the offense, hitting .226 and adding 2 assist, 3 aces, and 2 digs to the defensive effort. 

Senior OH Michaela Seawell tallied 14 kills, 2 assists, 2 aces and 13 digs as an outside hitter, while middle hitter Lauren Weaver added 9 kills with 3 solo blocks and 2 block assists. Sophomore setter Sloan Martin saw 5 kills of her own, hitting a .455 while managing 38 assists and 9 digs. 

Junior libero Kira Kristjanson led the defense with 19 digs, followed by utility player Aubrey Nicholson with 16 digs and 3 aces. 

The Bishops then  faced Randolph College in their last match at Roanoke's Maroon Classic. 

NCWC 3, RANDOLPH 0

The NC Wesleyan Volleyball team defeated the Wildcats of Randolph College this afternoon in the last match of Roanoke College's Maroon Classic. The Bishops swept the match 3-0, winning 25-17, 25-21, and 25-14. 

Weaver led the offense, earning 11 kills on 22 attempts, hitting .364 for the match. Barnwell followed, earning a .357 with 9 kills on 14 attempts in the middle. Barnwell was then named to the All-Tournament Team after the weekend.

Martin tallied 26 assists and 4 digs as the setter allowing the Bishop offense to outhit the Wildcats .179 to -.021. Kristjanson and Nicholson also led the defense with 13 digs each, followed by Seawell with 7 digs. 

The Bishops served an aggressive game, earning 14 aces total. Nicholson led with 5 aces, followed by Seawell with 4 aces, Martin and Kristjanson with 2 aces, and Barnwell with 1 ace. 

The 3-1 weekend brings the NC Wesleyan Volleyball Team's record to 6-3 overall. The Lady Bishops next return to Everett Gym on Thursday at 7 PM to face the Wildcats of Johnson and Wales University.