ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (Oct. 9, 2026) — North Carolina Wesleyan held off a strong opening-set challenge from Pfeiffer University before pulling away for a 3-0 USA South volleyball victory on Friday night at Everett Gymnasium. The Battling Bishops won 26-24, 25-17, 25-18.
Pfeiffer (2-14, 1-8 USA South) pushed N.C. Wesleyan to the brink in the opening set, erasing a seven-point deficit and taking a 24-23 lead late before the hosts scored the final three points to claim the set.
The Falcons were led by
Jada Thomas, who recorded a team-high eight kills while adding a solo block.
Gabi Gama contributed five kills and a team-best 13 digs, while
Anasty Faavesi added five kills off the bench.
Pfeiffer's offense was directed by setters
Karmen Rion and
Kelsey Hussey, who each finished with 11 assists. Rion also added two service aces and eight digs, while Hussey collected nine digs and an ace.
Defensively, the Falcons totaled 60 digs.
Molly Wright recorded 10 digs, and Gama, Hussey, and Rion helped anchor the back row as Pfeiffer stayed competitive throughout the match.
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N.C. Wesleyan (6-11, 1-6 USA South) was paced by Savannah Banks with nine kills, while Brooklynn Covic and Sadie Schramm added eight kills apiece. Setter Emilee Wilson finished with 29 assists and five kills as the Bishops hit .240 as a team.
Despite the loss, Pfeiffer finished with eight service aces, including two each from Rion and
Elisa Landaverde. The Falcons also received five kills from
Emma Line and continued to battle throughout the final two sets after the narrow opening-set setback.
