Wesleyan volleyball splits pair of matches at EMU Tourney

Harrisonburg, VA - North Carolina Wesleyan's volleyball squad split a pair of matches over the weekend at Eastern Mennonite's annual tournament.  The Battling Bishops went 2-2 at the tourney, recording 3-0 wins over Howard Payne and host EMU on Friday and Saturday, respectively. NCWC's two losses came at the hands of Catholic University by a 3-0 score and Lynchburg College by a 3-2 score those same days. The Bishops are now 2-3 to start the season.

In Friday's tourney opener, Wesleyan was swept by Catholic by 25-11, 25-15, and 25-23 scores.  Sophomore Mackenzie Tingle dished out 17 assists in the losing effort, while senior Brittany Insley recorded six kills and six blocks. Junior Kelly George had 17 digs.

The Battling Bishops rebounded with a 3-0 sweep of Howard Payne later in the evening. Set scores were 25-20, 25-19, and 25-19.  Freshman Erin Augspurger paced the offensive effort with a team-high seven kills, while Insley, Leslie Hassell, and Barbara DeRatt recorded six apiece. Freshman Shana Ayers tallied a career-high four service aces.

Wesleyan proceeded to win its second straight contest with a 3-0 sweep of Eastern Mennonite on Saturday morning by 25-22, 25-13, and 25-21 scores. Insley recorded a season-high 13 kills, while DeRatt also reached double figures with 10. 

Unfortunately, the Bishops dropped a 3-2 heartbreaker to Lynchburg College to close out the tournament on Saturday afternoon. For her efforts, Insley was named to the All-Tournament team after Wesleyan's final match.

NCWC returns to action on Tuesday evening when the Battling Bishops travel to Virginia Wesleyan College. Game time is slated for 7:00 p.m. in Virginia Beach.