MOUNT OLIVE – Led by a career night from setter
Lyndsay Reid, the University of Mount Olive women's volleyball team battled through five sets to earn a thrilling 3-2 victory over Southern Wesleyan on Saturday afternoon at Kornegay Arena. Reid orchestrated a record-setting offensive performance for the Trojans, distributing 61 assists while helping four Mount Olive players reach double-digit kills.
The Trojans (9-9, 5-5 Conference Carolinas) earned the victory by set scores of 25-21, 21-25, 25-22, 25-27 and 15-9, finishing strong in the decisive fifth set to secure the home win.
Reid's 61 assists marked a career high and the most assists recorded by Mount Olive in a match this season. She consistently put the Trojans' hitters in position to succeed, helping the team produce 76 kills, its highest single-match total of the season and 12 more than its next-highest output. Mount Olive also recorded 69 assists, another season high, as Reid's distribution helped fuel one of the team's most productive offensive performances of the year.
Olivia Melvin led the attack before an injury forced her out of the match, recording 18 kills on 30 attempts with an outstanding .433 hitting percentage. Her efficiency helped establish the tone for the Trojans' offense and gave Mount Olive a strong scoring presence throughout her time on the court.
Freshman
Angelina Cavallaro stepped into the lineup when Melvin was sidelined and made an immediate impact.
Cavallaro finished with seven kills on 14 attempts, hitting .357, including five kills in the fourth set. Her contribution helped Mount Olive battle back and tie the frame at 24-24 before Southern Wesleyan ultimately claimed the set 27-25. Cavallaro's performance gave the Trojans an important offensive lift as they continued to fight through the five-set contest.
Kaitlyn Koel led Mount Olive with 20 kills while hitting .486, while
Rachel Clark added 11 kills. Along with Melvin and Cavallaro, the four hitters each recorded at least 10 kills, with Koel reaching the 20-kill mark. Four Trojans finished the match hitting above .300, underscoring the team's balanced and efficient attack.
As a team, Mount Olive hit .284, its third-best hitting percentage in a match this season. The Trojans' 76 kills marked their most in a match this year, while their 69 assists also represented a season high. The offensive production came from a collective effort, with Reid distributing the ball and multiple hitters taking advantage of their opportunities.
Defensively,
Kacey Gore led the Trojans with 20 digs, while Reid added 12 digs to complete a double-double. Mount Olive finished with 78 digs, edging Southern Wesleyan's 64, and used that defensive effort to help secure the deciding set, 15-9.
The five-set victory showcased Mount Olive's offensive depth and resilience, as the Trojans responded to Southern Wesleyan's fourth-set comeback with a strong finish in the fifth to earn the home win.
The Trojans host the Patriots of Francis Marion in their next match on Wednesday in an evening 6 p.m. matchup in Kornegay Arena.
