MOC spikers overcome 2-1 deficit, turn back North Greenville

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on October 29, 2011 11:05 PM

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MOUNT OLIVE -- Stay focused.

Relax.

But most importantly -- talk.

Oh, don't forget the "on" switch, either.

Once the Mount Olive College volleyball team finally terminated points in a quick fashion, it turned back North Greenville (S.C.) University 25-18, 18-25, 23-25, 25-12, 15-10 on the Conference Carolinas scene Saturday afternoon.

The Trojans (15-13 overall, 8-8 CC) avenged a three-set loss to the Crusaders nearly two months ago.

"Slow teams, we tend to not pick our game up because we like to play a fast offense and fast defense," said MOC's lone senior, Destiny Ma'ave-Kuewa. "It's really hard for us to play the slow teams and keep our energy up, along with our intensity."

Mount Olive used a 9-1 run to seal the opening set.

Freshman Dezirae Mackey recorded a solo block and freshman opposite Sarah Robertson tied the set at 17-17 on an off-speed shot from the left side. The Crusaders (14-17, 4-11) burned two timeouts, but couldn't stop the momentum.

North Greenville dictated the tempo in the second and third sets.

"They were digging our balls, even though we were putting them (kills) down," said MOC setter Charnel Austin, who dished out 47 assists. "They had amazing serves and we kept getting aced. That was hard, too."

The Trojans opened the fourth set in dominating fashion.

Carly White's solo block helped spearhead an early 8-1 run after the Crusaders tallied the first point. MOC built its biggest lead, 22-8, late in the set and finished it off with Mackey's solo block against NGU's Lauren Seeley.

Mount Olive reeled off eight consecutive points in the decisive fifth set after North Greenville earned the first point. The Crusaders pulled within 12-10, but the Trojans rattled off the final three points, including Nicole Powell's match-clinching ace.

White led all hitters with 22 kills, while Robertson and Erika Conner contributed 12 apiece. Libero Lauren Lee led MOC's defense with 14 digs and the team had 46 overall in the five-set affair.

The Trojans hit .271 compared to .106 for the Crusaders.