BANNER ELK – The University of Mount Olive volleyball team battled Lees-McRae in a five-set thriller but came up short on the road.

Mount Olive moves to 12-15 overall and 10-9 in conference play, while Lees-McRae improves to 12-17 overall and 11-8 in the league.

The Trojans controlled the first set from the start, fueled by Rachel Clark's early kill and block assist. After the Bobcats tied the frame at 10-10, UMO capitalized on several Lees-McRae errors to pull ahead and secure a 25-22 win.

Set two remained close until the Bobcats went on a 5-0 run to lead 16-12. Mount Olive responded with aces from Breanna Tanton, blocks by Clark and Ruby Engert, and a kill from Olivia Melvin to tie it at 16. Lees-
McRae regained momentum late to take the set 25-19.

The third set featured another tight battle. With the score tied at 22, Melvin delivered a key kill before a service ace from Lyndsay Reid gave UMO a 24-22 edge. A Bobcat service error sealed a 25-23 win for the Trojans.

Mount Olive looked poised to close it out in set four after a 5-0 run put them ahead 22-18. Lees-McRae answered with a late surge to take a 24-22 lead. Melvin kept UMO alive with a kill and block assist, forcing extra points. The Bobcats ultimately prevailed 29-27 to push the match to a decisive fifth set.

The Trojans opened the final frame strong with a 4-1 run behind Clark's kill and block assist with Melvin. Lees-McRae tied it at 6-6 and later pulled ahead 10-7. Despite UMO's effort to rally, the Bobcats held on for a 15-10 win to clinch the match.

Melvin led the Trojans with 18 kills, while Sam Widelski added 12. Tanton tallied 26 assists and Reid followed with 16. Defensively, Gore posted 21 digs as she, Reid, and Tanton combined for 46.

Mount Olive hosts conference leader Francis Marion on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in Kornegay Arena for its regular-season finale.