From UMO Media Relations

The University of Mount Olive defeated Shaw University 3-2 in non-conference action on Tuesday night. The Trojans have now won four games in a row and improved their overall record to 5-1.

1st Set
The Trojans stepped out to an early lead 2-0 with kills from Ele’sia Williams and Ashlyn Stone. The Trojans fell behind 13-7, the UMO offense took over the set at that point. Mount Olive won the next four points with three kills from Williams. UMO remained in control during the back half of the set only allowing the Bears to score three points. Kills from Starr Sergent, and Amara Eziakonwa led the Trojans to the first set win. 

2nd Set
The Trojans and Bears went back and forth in the second set until the Trojans grabbed five straight points with a kill from Alyssa Jackson and an ace from Karoline Cox. A pair of kills from Stone and Eziakonwa pulled the Trojans ahead 20-14. The Bears held a moment of momentum until the Trojans went on a five-point run highlighted with a kill from Sergent. After battling back and forth with the Bears, UMO closed out the second set with three straight points to win the second set 25-19.

3rd Set
The Trojans fell behind at the beginning of the set, but they were able to tie the game 10-10 with four straight points from Williams and Stone. After a three-point run from Eziakonwa, the Trojans let Shaw take the third set 25-23.

4th Set
The Trojans came into the 4th set fired up jumping out to a 6-4 lead with three kills from Williams, Sergent, and Eziakonwa, but the Bears ended up taking the third set set 25-21.

5th Set
The Trojans jumped out to a 2-0 lead over the Bears with a kill from Stone as well as an ace from Sergent. A pair of kills from Stone put the Trojans ahead 4-2. The Trojans kept control during the remaining points of the fifth set with Jenna Myer carrying the offense, and Mount Olive held onto the lead win the fifth set 15-9, and the match 3-2.

“Our girls are playing very well through six matches this season. We’re resilient and learning to problem-solve and decision-making. Five-set matches are great tests and with such a competitive conference, learning to play for that length of time is going to serve as well as we move into late September and October. This upcoming weekend will be a fun test, can’t wait to see what we do.” UMO head coach Emma Celentano said.

MOUNT OLIVE LEADERS
Ele’sia Williams led the Trojans with 18 kills. 
Starr Sergant with two aces. 
Amara Eziakonwa took home three blocks.

UP NEXT
The Trojans are back on the road for the FMU Invitational in Florence S.C. on Sept. 17-18.