Mount Olive College senior Talita Rocha had a season-high 10 kills, including five in the fourth set as the Trojans tried to rally, but host Pfeiffer held off the comeback attempt for a 25-20, 19-25, 25-16, 25-23 Conference Carolinas decision Saturday afternoon at Misenheimer, N.C.

The Trojans (7-11 overall, 3-6 CC) rebounded after a tough first set in which Mount Olive raced out to a 5-0 lead only to have the Hawks use a 15-5 run to take a one game lead. In game two, Mount Olive never trailed after three consecutive service aces by freshman Danielle Plant gave her team a 14-13 advantage. The Hawks (3-5, 4-12) stayed close, getting within 20-18 on a Trojan service error. Another ace by Plante and two attack errors by Pfeiffer helped Mount Olive put the game away.

Plante was a big weapon for Mount Olive. She entered Sunday's match with eight service aces. Against Pfeiffer, she delivered five alone.

In the third set, however, the Trojans could not overcome its own errors. Mount Olive committed 21 attack and nine service errors in the match. In the third game, Pfeiffer took advantage to build a big lead Mount Olive could not overcome.

A kill by Brianna Jones, an ace by Meghan Davis and three Trojans errors put the Hawks ahead 6-3. Kills by Amber Wooten, Jordan O'Bryant and Anna Vizvary and Milana Mervosh extended the lead to 20-10 before the end of the set.

In the clincher, Pfeiffer never trailed and led 16-11 before the Trojans came back. Kills by Nicole Karas, Carly White and Rocha closed the gap to 18-17 before a pair of Mount Olive handling errors broke the momentum.

A Rocha kill and ace turned things back in Mount Olive's favor. Trailing, 23-20, two Pfeiffer attack errors and a White kill tied the game 23-23. Vizvary and Wooten finished off the match, however, with consecutive kills.

Nicole Sparks led the Trojans with 22 digs. It was her highest total since recording 27 digs against Millersville September 8. She has now recorded double-figures in eight consecutive matches. Sarah Robertson added 13 digs.

Karas led the Trojans with 23 assists, while Laura Vega added 10.

Mount Olive will try to return to the win column October 13 when King College travels to Kornegay Arena for a 2 p.m. start.