DUE WEST, S.C. – The Erskine College women's volleyball developmental team defeated Shorter University and the University of Mount Olive in the 2026 Conference Carolinas Developmental Women's Volleyball Championship at Belk Arena on Monday.

After surviving a second-set lull in their opening match against Shorter, the Fleet took on Mount Olive in the championship match. Erskine took the opening set and led for most of the second set, until a late rally from the Trojans forced a winner-take-all set three. At the end of the set, it was Erskine's turn to stave off championship points, which set the stage for a Kiley Armstrong match-sealing ace to secure the title for the Fleet.

Freshman opposite hitter Carter Stephen was named the Tournament's Most Outstanding Player. Stephen had four kills in the opener against Shorter, and then stole the show in the championship, tallying nine more kills and hitting an efficient .350 against the Trojans.

MATCH 1 STAT LEADERS vs Shorter (2-1 FINAL, 25-20, 12-25, 15-13)
KILLS: Leah Hendrix (9)
ACES: Payton Leidy (2), Carter Stephen (2)
BLOCKS: Carter Stephen (2), Kyleigh Upton (2)
ASSISTS: Maggie Norris (14)
DIGS: Payton Leidy (8)

THE TEAM
Erskine hit just .042 (23 K / 20 E / 71 TA) for the match, while Shorter posted a .212 hitting percentage. However, Erskine had 19 more swings than the Hawks, which proved to be the difference in a hard-fought opener.

MATCH 2 STAT LEADERS vs Mount Olive (2-1 FINAL, 25-23, 25-27, 16-14)
KILLS: Carter Stephen (9)
ACES: Katie Cavazos (2), Mahayla Law (2)
BLOCKS: Kiley Armstrong (2)
ASSISTS: Maggie Norris (14)
DIGS: Payton Leidy (15)

THE TEAM
Erskine hit .196 (36 K / 16 E / 102 TA) for the match, while Mount Olive posted just a .141 hitting percentage. Erskine totaled six aces and two blocks en route to a championship.

WHAT'S NEXT? 
Erskine returns to its regular season and takes on Emmanuel University (21-6, 15-2 CC) at home on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

MORE ABOUT THE ERSKINE COLLEGE FLYING FLEET

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