Trojan spikers maintain conference lead

By MOC Sports Information
Published in Sports on September 28, 2009 1:46 PM

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MOC Sports Information

MOUNT OLIVE -- Avoid the emotional letdown.

Less than 24 hours after claiming a come-from-behind victory over an in-state nemesis, Mount Olive College pounded Belmont Abbey 25-14, 25-17, 25-18 on the Conference Carolinas women's volleyball scene.

The Trojans (6-12 overall, 6-0 CC) rallied from a two-set deficit to defeat 10-time conference champion Lees-McRae on Friday.

"We definitely didn't want to have a letdown today," said Caitlin Skislak, an outside hitter from Gulf Breeze, Fla. "Last weekend, we struggled Saturday because we were still feeling the effects of the match the night before. Last night's match took a lot out of us, but we knew we had to refocus right away and prepare for Belmont Abbey."

Christiane Maul logged 10 kills and no errors in 11 attempts for a school-record .909 hitting percentage against the Abbey. The junior transfer broke the previous record (.842) held by three-time all-conference middle blocker Colby Mangum, who set the mark Oct. 18, 2005 against Lees-McRae.

Maul added four blocks.

Senior Racey Bartley shared match-high honors with 11 kills and led all players with three service aces. Alicia Mote added 10 kills and eight digs. Joanie Werling, who ranks 21st in the nation in assists, dished out 38 assists in the straight-set sweep.

Mount Olive travels to St. Andrews on Wednesday.

Paxson scores

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Cara Paxson collected the game-winning goal with 43 seconds left in overtime as Mount Olive slipped past Converse (S.C.) College 1-0 on Saturday evening.

It was Paxson's third goal in her last two outings and gave the Trojans their first overtime victory in two years. Mount Olive (4-4-2 overall, 2-1-1 CC) played its second consecutive OT match after battling Pfeiffer to a 2-2 draw last Tuesday.

Trojan keeper Lyndsey McIntyre recorded three saves for her third shutout of the season and her first collegiate overtime shutout.

Mount Olive travels to Lenoir-Rhyne on Tuesday.