ANDERSON, S.C. – The Anderson University volleyball team dropped a three-set decision to preseason South Atlantic Conference-favorite Wingate, 3-0 (25-16, 25-20, 25-20) Friday night at the Abney Athletic Center.
"It was a tough one tonight against a very veteran and experienced team," said Anderson head coach Todd Hay. "I like how we played hard and gave a good effort. However, playing hard doesn't necessarily mean you will win. We have to execute and make good decisions during play. Hopefully we will bounce back on Saturday against a good Coker team."
Anderson slipped to 0-2 on the young season, while Wingate improved to 2-0.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Freshman Sadie Kluner led the Trojans with six kills on the night with fellow freshman Tabitha Wheeler and junior Noelle Knutsen each adding five kills apiece. Wheeler also came up with nine digs on the night and Knutsen tallied two block assists. Senior Regan Duty and freshman Rylie Sargent each tallied four kills apiece. Junior setter Madison Roy handed out 13 assists, while freshman Jenna Long dished out 11 assists and also had a pair of aces. Junior Meghan DeVaux posted 10 digs on the night.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
Wingate scored the first five points of the opening set and never trailed, while using a 7-0 run midway through the frame to build a double-digit, 19-9, cushion after the Trojans had sliced the margin to just three.
AU trimmed the deficit to 22-15 on a block by Neely Shugart, but was unable to get any closer down the stretch.
Second Set
Despite Wingate's .484 hitting percentage, the Trojans stayed close before the Bulldogs broke an 8-8 deadlock with four consecutive points and steadily built a 17-12 advantage. But AU climbed within three on five occasions – the latest two times coming at 22-19 on an ace by Roy and at 23-20 on a kill from Duty – before Wingate scored the final two points of the set.
Third Set
The final set was deadlocked nine times before the Bulldogs snapped a 15-15 deadlock with two straight points. A kill by Wheeler brought the Trojans back within one, but the Black and Gold were unable to overtake Wingate, with the Bulldogs holding the lead and claiming the final three points of the set.
NOTABLES
• Despite the setback, the Trojans have won three of the last five meetings with Wingate in the Electric City.
UP NEXT
The Trojans will look to capture their first win of the season when Coker invades the Abney Center. First-serve vs. the Cobras is slated for 2 p.m.
