RALEIGH, N.C. - The Meredith College volleyball team overcame a slow start to finish off the visiting Monarchs of Methodist University in Tuesday's USA South Conference opener (25-19, 25-20, 25-23). Karlie Long put together her fourth double-double of the season with a game-high 18 kills and 11 digs.

The Monarchs opened the match with a 5-1 edge over Meredith and extended the lead to seven on four consecutive points at 11-4.

Hannah Blaylock set Jessica Goodwin on the back row for a kill to finally end the MU run and swing the momentum back to the Angels. Methodist gave away the next three points on attack errors, and Long crushed a set from Blaylock to keep the run going. Anna Huff and Blaylock stuffed Taylar Stafford to cap off a six-point run and pull the Avenigng Angels to within one at 11-10.

Meredith scored 10 of the next 13 points to take a six-point lead and extended that advantage to nine on another unforced MU error.

Methodist managed to steal four more points before the Avenging Angels secured the win for good.

Set two was a back-and-forth battle leaving Meredith with a win on a service ace from Blaylock.

The Avenging Angels held back in the third stanza and fell behind early 9-6. Both teams played a little timid during the next series leaving the Monarchs holding an 18-13 advantage. 

Head Coach Fiona Barkley called for a timeout and her team returned to the court with a vengeance. A miscue from MU gave the serve to Long, who put together a backrow kill and a service ace. A trio of Meredith points forced Methodist to take a break in the action.

The Angels continued to attack the ball and pulled ahead on a Goodwin service run. Blaylock dished out a pair of assists to Emily Hendricks and Long to finish off the win in favor of the Angels.

Blaylock tallied a game-high 34 assists, while Huff, Hendricks and Elizabeth Pattison racked up five kills apiece. Jasmine Aguinaldo recorded four kills and led Meredith with as many blocks.

The Avenging Angels travel to Fayetteville Saturday for a USA South quad match at Methodist. MCVB will face rivals Averett and Ferrum beginning at Noon.