MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – On a rare day where it played two matches, the Lees-McRae College men's volleyball team came away with a 1-1 record Saturday at Mount Olive. First, the Bobcats dropped a three-set decision to Mount Olive before rebounding to take down St. Francis Brooklyn in five sets. With the split, the Bobcats move to 3-11 overall and 1-6 in conference play.
Mount Olive Recap – Despite the 3-0 loss to Mount Olive, the Bobcats were able to get better as the match went along. UMO was clicking on all cylinders in the first set attacking at a .682 clip as a team leading to a 25-14 win in the Trojans' favor. In the other two sets, the Bobcats were within a few points of Mount Olive late in the frame but ultimately fell by scores of 25-20 and 25-22.
Individually, the Bobcats were paced by freshman MJ Doyle who picked up a career-high eight kills against the Trojans. Chris Woolslayer chipped in five kills and added a team-high six digs in the match as well.
St. Francis Brooklyn Recap – Lees-McRae took the positive steps from the later sets against Mount Olive and transferred them over to its second match of the day against St. Francis Brooklyn. Despite improved play from Lees-McRae, the Terriers would win two of the first three sets after dropping the first frame, 25-18, but coming back to win the second and third by scores of 25-15 and 25-23. The Bobcats, however, clawed back to win the fourth and fifth sets to 25-19 and 15-12 to finish off their first five-set win of the season.
Freshman Michael Marsans had his best performance of his young collegiate career as he led Lees-McRae with 23 kills. His 23 kills are the most in a match by a Lees-McRae player since 2015. Woolslayer, Doyle and Ethan Gardner all scored 10 or more points to help spread the offense around. Furthermore, Wooslayer (14 kills, 11 digs) and Bradley Peters (46 assists, 10 digs) finished with double-doubles and Steven Nalls reached double figures in digs as well with 10 against the Terriers.
Next Up – The Bobcats will be back in action on Wednesday when they visit Belmont Abbey for a Conference Carolinas matchup. The Crusaders knocked off the Bobcats in four sets when the two teams matched up earlier this season in Banner Elk. First serve for Wednesday's match is set for 7 p.m.
For more information on Lees-McRae Athletics, follow us on our social media sites on Twitter (@LMCBobcats), Facebook (Lees-McRae Athletics) and on Instagram (leesmcraeathletics).
