Wingate Ranked 15th in Latest AVCA Poll

LEXINGTON, Ky.-- For the third consecutive week, the Wingate University volleyball team is ranked 15th in the AVCA NCAA Division II top 25 poll. Wingate has been ranked in all eight polls this season.

The Bulldogs became the first team in SAC history to finish a season ranked in 2010. Wingate was ranked 21st in the 2011 pre-season poll, becoming the first team in league history to earn a pre-season ranking. Wingate's 21-0 start in 2011 is the best start in school history.

The Bulldogs became the first team in league history to crack the AVCA top 25 in 2009, ranking as high as number 23. Wingate returned to the rankings late during the 2010 season. After a run to the 2010 NCAA Division II Elite Eight, the 'Dogs became the first team in SAC history to end the season in the top 25, earning a number 24 ranking in the final poll. This week's poll marks the ninth consecutive AVCA poll that has included the Bulldogs.

Wingate is 152-8 overall since the start of the 2007 season. They have won over 30 matches in each of the past four seasons; they have lost only twice in each of those four campaigns. The Bulldogs are 134-4 in regular season action since 2007; they have won 64 of their last 65 regular season contests. Wingate has won 44 consecutive regular season matches.

Wingate's 31-2 overall record in 2010 led the nation in winning percentage, while the 33-2 mark in 2007 was also the nation's best. The 'Dogs went 31-2 in 2008 and 36-2 in 2009, finishing third nationally in winning percentage both years. The Bulldogs are the only team to finish in the top three in this category in each of the past four seasons. Their overall .950 winning percentage over the past four years leads the nation. They are one of only six undefeated teams remaining in the 2011 season.

Wingate has won a SAC record 76 consecutive league contests, while also going 15-0 in Food Lion SAC tournament play since 2006. The 76 league wins over the past four seasons are 24 more than the next closest team in the conference. The Bulldogs have dropped only 34 sets in league play during their 76-match winning streak.

Despite losing a pair of All-Americans from the 2010 Elite Eight team, the Bulldogs continue to feature a balanced attack. Wingate has four different players averaging at least 2.3 kills per set, including three with over three kills per set. The Bulldogs also have four players with at least 2.4 digs per set.

Redshirt sophomore middle blocker Anna Hilton (Hickory, N.C.) is fifth in the SAC with 3.26 kills per set, while leading the league with a .329 hitting percentage. Sophomore outside hitter Cory McGowan (Pittsburgh, Pa.) is fourth in the league with 3.36 kills per set, while junior middle blocker Grace Krauser (Louisville, Ky.) is sixth in the conference with 3.00 kills per set and seventh with a hitting percentage of .279. Hilton has earned SAC Player of the Week honors three times this season, while Krauser has also earned the award once. Hilton and Krauser are the only two players in the league to rank in the top seven in kills and hitting percentage.

Freshman outside hitter Susie Murach (Burke, Va.) is averaging 2.47 kills and 3.14 digs per set. She leads the league with 0.49 aces per set. Freshman middle blocker Lexi Potter (North Liberty, Iowa) is averaging 1.50 kills per set, ranking third in the SAC with 1.00 blocks per set and eighth with a .277 hitting percentage.

Three-time All-SAC and All-Region selection setter Liz Willis (Raleigh, N.C.) leads the SAC and is sixth in the nation with a career-best 11.65 assists per set. Willis handed out a career-high 58 assists in the Flagler win, while collecting a career-best 22 digs at Carson-Newman. Willis has earned SAC Specialist of the Week honors three times during the 2011 season.

Senior libero Maggie Malone (Chicago, Ill.) is also having a solid final season at Wingate, averaging a career-best 5.27 digs per set. She is fourth in the SAC in digs and aces per set. Malone had a season-high 36 digs in Wingate's win at LMU; she collected 34 digs in the win at Newberry. Malone became the school's all-time leader in digs last week. The 2009 honorable mention All-American has 1,776 career digs.

The Bulldogs have a pair of SAC road matches this weekend. Wingate travels to Tusculum Friday night for a 7 p.m. start. The 'Dogs were the only SAC team to win at Tusculum in 2010. Wingate travels to Mars Hill Saturday at 5 p.m.