MOC women's Volleyball defeats Fayetteville State

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on August 29, 2004 2:02 AM

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FAYETTEVILLE -- Sam Mitchell recorded 15 kills in her first collegiate match and served an ace on match point as Mount Olive defeated Fayetteville State 30-21, 30-20, 30-14 in the Trojans' 2004 women's volleyball season opener Friday at Fayetteville, N.C. Heidi Busch and Anna Luft added 13 kills apiece as the Trojans posted a .407 hitting percentage.

Mount Olive (1-0) jumped out to a 12-3 lead in game one after back-to-back kills by Luft, who finished with six kills in the first game. Sara Christie recorded 14 of her match-high 35 assists in game one as the Trojans maintained at least an eight-point lead most of the game.

In game two, Fayetteville State (0-1) took an early 4-2 lead before Mount Olive used an 11-3 run to take the lead for good. Mitchell tallied eight kills in game two, one kill coming after keeping the ball in play on a diving one-hand dig as the Trojans built a 12-point lead.

Fayetteville State then rallied for seven unanswered points to pull the Broncos within 22-17. But after a timeout, Mount Olive forced a side out and Ashley Napoles served for four consecutive points to build the lead back to double-digits.

Mount Olive used the serving of Busch and Napoles in game three to jump out to a 14-3 lead and the Trojans led by double figures most of the game. Busch, who served a match-high four aces, combined with Luft for nine kills in the final game.

Luft and Mitchell led Mount Olive with three blocks apiece, while Christie led the Trojans with seven digs.

Friday's match marked the debut of first-year head women's volleyball coach Sasha Gutor, who was pleased with his team's performance but says there is still plenty of work to do.

"We played well for a first match, but we need to continue to develop and prepare," said Gutor. "I look for the team to continue to improve as the season goes along." Mount Olive returns to action Wednesday as the Trojans travel to Durham to face North Carolina Central in a non-conference contest. Match time is 6:30 p.m.