MOC spikers dump Converse

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on November 7, 2009 11:09 PM

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MOUNT OLIVE -- A perfect senior day.

Middle hitter Racey Bartley and outside hitter Alicia Mote, each playing their final home game of the season, combined for 26 kills in a three-set sweep of Converse (S.C.) College on Saturday afternoon.

Senior setter Joanie Werling handed out 33 assists as the Trojans concluded Conference Carolinas regular-season play with a 25-12, 25-15, 25-16 victory inside Kornegay Arena. Mount Olive (13-18 overall) travels to defending champion Anderson (S.C.) University for an opening-round tournament contest Tuesday.

Converse finished the year 6-29 overall.

"It was great to see four wonderful (senior) careers come together on the court for another time this season," said MOC head coach Cole Tallman.

Senior Caitlin Skislak contributed six kills for the Trojans, who captured their fifth straight sweep over the Valkyries and lead the all-time series 9-3 since 2003. Werling served five aces and picked up a team-high seven digs defensively, while Mote collected five digs.

Mount Olive earned its sixth three-set win of the season.

"Our ball control was excellent, and digs and serve-receive was important," said Tallman. "We gave our setter (Werling) every option she possibly could want and she got the ball to everybody who was out on the court. That made it really hard to concentrate on any one person."

Mote smartly used a double block off Werling's assist and Christiane Maul served an ace to put MOC in command 12-6 in the opening set. The Trojans extended their advantage to 16-6 and closed out the Valkyries on Kailey Preece's kill off the right side.

Converse stayed within striking distance midway through the second set. Freshman libero Brooke Norris saved a ball near the end line, Werling dished off to Mote and the Miami senior finished off the point to start a 4-0 run.

Bartley's solo block and back-to-back unforced errors pushed MOC's lead to 18-11. The Valkyries fended off three set points before a service error put the Trojans ahead 2-0 in the best-of-five match.

Mount Olive trailed early in the third set, but reeled off three consecutive points to grab a 7-5 lead. The teams traded sideouts until kills from Mote and Preece allowed the Trojans to build a 16-11 advantage.

Converse never recovered as MOC closed out the set with a 6-2 run. Bartley's off-speed shot just inside the 3-meter line clinched the outcome and snapped the Trojans' four-match skid.