Nicole Karas served a career-high eight aces and Mount Olive overcame a six-point deficit in the third set after coming from behind in each of the first two sets as the Trojans defeated Elizabeth City State 25-16, 25-23, 25-23 in non-conference women's volleyball Tuesday at Elizabeth City, N.C. Lauren Lee and Carly White led a balanced attack with nine kills apiece to spark Mount Olive to its first win of the season.

Elizabeth City State broke away from a 13-13 tie in the third set with six unanswered points to take a 19-13 lead. After a Trojan side out, Karas served three aces during a 7-0 run to put Mount Olive (1-7) on top 20-19. Elizabeth City State (1-3) scored the next two points to regain the lead, but kills by White and Lee, followed by an ace by Sarah Robertson gave the Trojans a 24-21 advantage. The Vikings saved two match points before White's solo block sealed the win for Mount Olive.

Mount Olive rallied from an early four-point deficit and outscored Elizabeth City State 19-6 to end the set. Back-to-back kills by Lee triggered a 4-0 Trojan run after trailing 10-6 and Alysha Tyms-Burnett's kill put Mount Olive ahead to stay 14-13. Karas served three consecutive aces during a 6-0 run to help give the Trojans the first set.

The Trojans trailed 14-10 in the second set before another ace by Karas helped bring Mount Olive back. Nicole Sparks sandwiched a pair of service aces around a Dezirae Mackey kill as the Trojans broke a 16-16 tie and took the lead for good.

Karas also recorded 28 assists for Mount Olive. Sarah Watkins added seven kills and joined Mackey and White with two blocks. Watkins and Lee finished with eight digs apiece.

Rosetta Becerra recorded a double-double for Elizabeth City State with match highs of 10 kills and 10 digs.

Mount Olive opens Conference Carolinas play this weekend with a pair of matches at Kornegay Arena. The Trojans play host to North Greenville Friday at 7 p.m., then entertain Erskine Saturday at 2 p.m.