MOC men's volleyball team off to 3-0 start

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on January 18, 2009 2:00 AM

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MOC Sports Information

MOUNT OLIVE -- Pedro Penate became Mount Olive's all-time career digs leader in men's volleyball and Mike Carroll spearheaded a fifth-set scoring run as the Trojans stopped in-state rival Lees-McRae 30-27, 31-33, 19-30, 30-25, 15-8 on the final day of the MOC Quad at Kornegay Arena.

The Trojans (3-0 overall) began the day with a 30-21, 30-24, 24-30, 28-30, 15-10 decision over Grand Canyon University. Mount Olive opened its season with a 30-27, 30-25, 30-24 over King (Tenn.) College on Friday evening, which was the head coaching debut for Cole Tallman.

Tallman was named MOC's new coach just two weeks ago.

Carroll triggered a six-point run as Mount Olive claimed its come-from-behind triumph over Lees-McRae. It's the first of three meetings between the two Conference Carolina schools that will play independent schedules since the league does not sponsor the sport.

Against King, sophomore setter Alex Hoekstra dished out 33 assists in his first-ever collegiate start. Noel Garcia pounded out a match-high 15 kills, while Jose Lanier supplied seven kills and seven blocks.

Penate recorded seven kills, seven digs and four blocks.

As of press time, complete statistics were not available on the Grand Canyon and Lees-McRae matches. Grand Canyon finished 0-3 in the two-day event, while the Bobcats logged a 2-1 worksheet.

Mount Olive returns to action Jan. 23 at Eastern Mennonite.