RALEIGH, N.C. -- Meredith College junior defensive specialist Lauren Phillips surpassed 1000 career digs in Tuesday night's USA South pairing with N.C. Wesleyan. Phillips grabbed a match-high 19 in the sweep to reach the milestone with three to spare.

With a 7-3 MCVB advantage in the opening frame, the Bishops managed to slip back into the lead on a 6-1 rally. NCW continued to rattle the Angels through another 5-1 run for a 14-11 lead. Lauren Grodi and Cathy Delano finally put a pair of points up for Meredith to interrupt the momentum, and the teams traded the next eight points.

The push back from the Avenging Angels followed with three unforced Wesleyan errors, and MCVB appeared to be back on track. But NCW responded to even the score at 21 and again at 22 before the Angels finally put the set away with help from kills by Kenzie Moore and Caroline Corey.

The strong finish was all Meredith needed to cruise to a second set victory with a 7-0 run midway through the frame.

MCVB remained in control until the 22-12 mark of set three. N.C. Wesleyan scored three of the next five points, followed by a 7-1 rally to pull as close to 24-21. Bailey Lucas found a gap on a pass from Adair Melton to finally put the match away in favor of the Avenging Angels.

Corey landed 10 kills to lead the match, and Samantha Smith grabbed 11 digs. Whitney Bolton and Delano notched nine kills apiece, and Moore had five. Grodi dished out 24 assists to lead all, and Lucas handed out 12 with six digs.

Lauren Weaver tallied nine kills for the Bishops, and Callie Cline recorded a dozen digs.

The Avenging Angels travel to Mary Baldwin Saturday for a USA South Play Day with Methodist. MCVB returns to Weatherspoon Gym next Tuesday night for the final regular season match versus rival William Peace. Meredith Athletic Director Jackie Myers will recognize the 2018 volleyball and 2019 lacrosse championship teams prior to the match.