George lifts Wesleyan to league split on Senior Night

Rocky Mount, NC - Senior Caitlin George tallied 86 assists, 19 digs, and five service aces on Friday night, leading her NC Wesleyan volleyball squad to a USA South split with Greensboro and Mary Baldwin in Everett Gym.  The Bishops dropped a tough 3-2 match with the Pride in the evening's first game, but NCWC rebounded to sweep MBC by a 3-0 score in the nightcap. The Bishops, who honored George (pictured) prior to the final match, are now 18-12 on the season, 9-6 in league play.

Against Greensboro, game scores were 30-19, 26-30, 30-16, 27-30, and 15-10.  With a 2-1 lead in the match, GC looked to be in control late in game four, going up 26-18 behind the serving of Michelle Lemmons. 

A Brittany Insley kill, however, ignited a furious Wesleyan rally that saw the Bishops reel off nine straight points to go up 29-26.  George did the honors serving as NCWC tallied five kills during the run.  The eventual 30-27 win sent the match to a fifth and deciding game.

In game five, the Pride opened up an 8-4 lead at the switch, and GC would maintain its advantage for the 15-10 game and match win.

Insley finished with 20 kills and six blocks to lead all players.  Freshman Barbara DeRatt and junior Sydney Bens chipped in 14 and 13 kills, respectively, while George dished out 51 assists.  Bens also collected a team-high 17 digs.

For GC, Allison Weavil tallied 17 kills and four blocks.  Michelle Gabson added 15 kills, and Lemmons had 59 assists.  Joy Daniels notched a game-high 18 digs defensively.

Game scores versus Mary Baldwin were 30-23, 30-21, and 30-23.  Insley again paced all players with 19 kills, and Bens added 12.  Libero Kelly George amassed a game-high 18 digs.

Colena Roberts led the Squirrels with 13 kills.  Kim Clum recorded 28 assists, while Kristin Guffey and Amanda Chambers each tallied 11 digs.

As for George, Caitlin has been a four-year starter for the Bishops and has made her mark as one of the best players in Wesleyan history.  At the conclusion of Friday’s play, she has amassed 357 kills, 3,753 assists, 262 service aces, 982 digs, and 83 blocks during her career.  Caitlin currently holds the record for career assists, is second in career service aces, and in today’s first match, became the first player in history to eclipse 1,000 assists in a season. 

Majoring in Sociology and Criminal Justice, Caitlin is a member of the President’s List and USA South Academic All-Conference team.  She is native of Derwood, MD and is the daughter of Robert and Kathleen George. 

The Bishops travel to Methodist University on Tuesday night for a key match-up with the Monarchs.  Game time is slated for 7:00 p.m. in Fayetteville.