Battling Bishop netters drop 3-2 thriller to Virginia Wesleyan

Rocky Mount, NC - Despite a solid all-around performance by freshman setter Mackenzie Tingle, the Battling Bishop netters of North Carolina Wesleyan could not overcome a determined Virginia Wesleyan squad on Wednesday night in Everett Gymnasium.  Tingle (pictured) tallied 27 assists, 12 digs, and eight kills, but NCWC dropped a 3-2 thriller to Marlins in its 2008 home opener.  Set scores were 20-25, 25-20, 25-18, 16-25, and 15-11.  VWC ups its record to 3-2 overall, while the Bishops now stand at 2-3 on the young season.

Down 2-1 in the match, NCWC forced a deciding game five with a 25-16 win in the fourth set.  The Bishops turned in their highest hitting percentage of the match with 12 kills against four errors in the game.

The fifth set saw NCWC jump out to an early 4-2 lead, but the Marlins were able to push four points behind the serving of Marissa Wood to to up 6-2.  NCWC would pull as close as 12-11 near the end, but Debbie Sterne served out the set and match for the VWC win.

Wood finished with a game-high 42 assists to pace the Marlins.  Rebecca Leedom tallied 12 kills and 21 digs, while Kelsey Muller led all players with 13 kills.

For the Bishops, junior Brittany Insley turned in a team-high 12 kills.  Sophomore Kelly George anchored NCWC's defensive efforts with 20 digs.

NCWC returns to action at home on Saturday when the University of Mary Washington visits Everett Gymnasium.  Game time is slated for 12:00 p.m.