University of Mount Olive

MOUNT OLIVE – The University of Mount Olive women's volleyball team earned its second consecutive home victory Tuesday afternoon, defeating Ferrum in straight sets (25-17, 25-23, 28-26) inside Kornegay Arena.

Olivia Melvin paced the Trojan attack with a match-high 12 kills, while Kaitlyn Koel added nine kills, Kaitlyn Landis secured eight kills, and Rachel Clark finished with seven kills on a .316 hitting percentage. Lyndsay Reid directed the offense with 34 assists as Mount Olive improved to 8-9 overall and 4-5 in Conference Carolinas play.

The Trojans opened the match by using a pair of service runs to create separation in the first set. Kacey Gore recorded three service aces during a 6-0 stretch, and Mount Olive closed the frame with kills from Clark to secure a 25-17 victory.

Ferrum jumped out to an 8-3 lead in the second set before the Trojans chipped away behind Melvin and Clark. After trailing 22-21 late, Mount Olive scored four of the final five points, including back-to-back kills from Melvin, to claim the set 25-23 and take a 2-0 match lead.

The Panthers pushed Mount Olive to the brink in the third, building an early four-point advantage before the Trojans rallied. The teams traded points throughout the closing stretch, but Melvin delivered a key kill to give Mount Olive a 27-26 edge before Koel finished the match with the final kill for a 28-26 win.

Mount Olive out-hit Ferrum .250 to .106 and totaled 42 kills while recording seven team blocks and eight service aces. Melvin added five digs and an ace, Clark contributed two solo blocks and two block assists, and Gore anchored the back row with a team-high 18 digs.

The Trojans return to Kornegay Arena on Saturday, Oct. 3, when they host Southern Wesleyan in a Conference Carolinas matchup beginning at 1 p.m.